Del Valle's Jesse Perales Accepts Naaman Forest Head Coaching Job

Tucked away off the south area of Loop 375, you'll find a football program that has delivered successful results on a consistent basis for a decade-plus in the borderland.

Make it 17 seasons to be exact, where the always energetic and hard-working head coach Jesse Perales has learned, discovered and succeeded with his well-established football program at Del Valle.

Prep 1 first reported today that coach Perales has accepted the head coaching role at Garland Naaman Forest, which will pin him in the Metroplex area. Naaman Forest competes in 10-6A and Perales will be succeeding Marvin Sedberry. Pending board approval, Perales will become the next head coach for the Rangers.

Perales wrapped up an impressive 2018 campaign with the Conquistadors after his squad went 8-3, 4-1 in the restructured Super 5A, while hoisting a bi-district trophy following their playoff victory over Amarillo High. He has a 117-47 all-time head coaching record with the Conquistadors, which includes seven district titles and 10 bi-district championships.

Many of Perales' former athletes have signed with or have successfully played at the college level. Former players have gone on to Division I programs, such as quarterback Steven Montez at Colorado and lineman Tristin Tuialuuluu at UTEP. More recently, he saw a plethora of his 2018 squad sign letters of intent, including receiver Karch Gardiner being a preferred walk-on at Arkansas and quarterback Raymond Montez signing with UT-Permian Basin.

Naaman Forest finished with a 4-7 record in 2018, where they finished fourth in the 10-6A standings and lost in the first round. They had more success in 2017, going 8-3 but lost in the first round of the playoffs as well. Sedberry ran a run-first wishbone style at Naaman Forest. Perales implemented an air raid, pass-first offense at Del Valle and found great success while doing so.

Perales will be greatly missed in the city's football landscape but opportunities to coach in the scope of the Metroplex rarely come up for any coach. He left a legacy at Del Valle and established a true winning culture with the group, yet always made sure to emphasize a family-oriented culture at Del Valle.