When Matt Chalfant took over as the girls basketball coach at Monroe High School three years ago, he planned to stay just long enough to stabilize a struggling program.
With that goal accomplished, Chalfant stepped down Monday.
“My true passion lies in coaching boy’s basketball and I knew that my time with the girls would be short,” Chalfant wrote in his resignation letter to Monroe athletic director Mark Henderson, “but I also knew that I would not leave until a foundation was created where Monroe Girls Basketball could thrive for years to come.”
Chalfant took over as head coach in March of 2012 after three years as Monroe’s junior-varsity boys coach. He was the Bearcats’ fourth head coach in less than two years, including one who resigned midway through the 2011-12 season.
“I applied for the position (three) years ago because I was tired of seeing the girls experience frustration and heartache year after year,” Chalfant wrote in his letter. “I firmly believe that a culture has been created and foundation has been laid where Monroe Girls Basketball will continue to thrive in my absence.”
In his first season, Chalfant guided Monroe to an 11-12 record and a berth in the district tournament. For his efforts, he was named coach of the year by the Snohomish County Women’s Basketball Officials Association. The Bearcats also qualified for the district playoffs in Chalfant’s second year.
This past season, the Bearcats were 18-8 and advanced to the regional round of the Class 4A state tournament. One of the highlights of Monroe’s season was a 53-42 win over No. 2-ranked Inglemoor on Dec. 27, the only regular-season loss of the year for the Vikings.
Henderson said the search for Chalfant’s replacement will begin “immediately.”
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