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(GISD | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) Matt Chapman along with his wife Jenny and their son Brody. Chapman was hired to serve as a new coach and educator for Graham High School. Jenny will serve as a counselor at Pioneer Elementary School and Brody will attend GHS.
Graham High School has seen its fair share of new staff welcomed into its ranks over the years. The high school is adding another addition heading into the 2025-26 academic year with Matt Chapman.
Chapman is joining the staff at Graham ISD after serving at Santo High School previously according to GHS Athletic Director Clay McChristian. Chapman will join the athletic sphere at the high school in a multitude of roles.
Mainly he will serve as the newest defensive line coach for the football team, but he will also lend his services to the powerlifting team and the softball team in the spring of 2026.
McChristian had nothing but praise for Chapman as he welcomed him.
“I couldn’t be more happy to have Matt and his family joining our staff here in Graham,” McChristian said. “I have heard nothing but positive things about how well he treats kids.”
For Chapman, the opportunity to move to Graham and serve at the high school was an easy decision. Chapman said that ever since he was young he had a respect for the town.
“I’ve always admired the town, it’s a neat place,” Chapman said. “I’ve always liked the general area and the reputation of the school district and success athletically.”
Throughout his life, he has found ways to cross paths with the Graham community. Chapman has memories visiting the town dating back to when he was a child and also remembers his family hunting out in Breckenridge and spending time at Possum Kingdom Lake.
In his 17 years as a coach he has also crossed paths with Graham’s athletic programs. When he was a softball coach at Peaster, Chapman recounts coming to Graham for playoff games and even using Graham as an inspiration to build the school’s football program.
“We wanted to show the kids what high school football was about,” Chapman said. “So we took them to a Friday night football game and it was Graham.”
Another draw to Graham for Chapman was just how well things aligned for him and his family when taking this opportunity. Graham has both football and powerlifting programs which Chapman has experience in coaching.
His son Brody Chapman also currently competes in both of these sports and his father said that Chapman is excited for the opportunity to go from a 2A division program to a 4A.
Chapman’s wife, Jenny Chapman, found a position as a counselor at Pioneer Elementary School in the district.
Chapman said that it is unusual for this many things to align when it comes to taking an opportunity like this and he is grateful his whole family is benefiting from the decision.
The Graham Athletics Facebook page also put out a statement for the newest family to join the community.
“GISD would like to welcome the Chapman family to GISD. We are excited to have them and the experience they will bring to our schools and students,” the post stated.
Chapman will begin his tenure at GHS in the fall of 2025.
