Brian Alvarez loved his time playing in the Livingston High football program. So much so that he came back as an assistant coach after college, including serving as the offensive coordinator for the last six years. So you can imagine his excitement after being named the new Livingston High head football coach.

Alvarez was named the new coach on Tuesday following the recent resignation of former coach Steven Wine. “Livingston High School means so much to me,” Alvarez said. “I've spent countless hours there coaching, watching games, being on the sideline, playing in games, and now to be able to be the head coach of the program I was once a part of is just a cool full-circle moment, and I'm hoping to be able to give the kids the same experience that I was granted. 

“I want them to have a lot of fun playing football,” he added. “Hopefully along the way you meet great people, you learn life lessons, and ultimately, at the end of the day, you've got everything you can out of it, and you want to give back to your community.”

Alvarez, 33, was a four-year, three-sport high school athlete, participating in football, basketball and baseball. After graduating in 2011, he played football at Modesto Junior College and finished his football career at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Alvarez’s former high school coach, Chris Lacey, is excited for his former player to earn this opportunity. “Brian was not only one of the best football players I ever coached, he was also one of the best competitors and leaders,” Lacey said. “He will be a great fit for Livingston football. Brian bleeds purple and gold!”

While helping out as an assistant coach with the Wolves, Alvarez worked at Livingston High as a special education paraprofessional. Alvarez was recently hired as a special education teacher at Buhach Colony High School. He will continue teaching at BCHS while serving as Livingston's head football coach. Alvarez takes over for Wine, who led the program since 2022.

“It is definitely a dream come true,” Alvarez said. “I think anyone who's played at a high school and they're passionate about coaching, being able to give back to the community that raised you, it’s a big deal. I think that's what I'm most excited about is being able to give back to the community that raised me.”

The Wolves will travel to El Capitan High for a scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 21, before opening the season at home against McNair on Friday, Aug. 28.

Alvarez says he wants to express to his players his commitment to the team, and he’ll try to make the transition as smooth as possible. “I expect them to show up on time, work hard, and play with great passion and be a respectful person in their community,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez wants the parents of his players to know that his expectations for his players will go beyond the football field.

“I want them to know that they're going to be given the best opportunity to succeed,” Alvarez said. “They're going to be coached hard, and they're going to be expected to be held up to a standard of being good students, athletes, but also good community members. Because ultimately, football and school will end, and it becomes about them as a person when they leave.”

Shawn Jansen is the MUHSD Program Manager Digital Media. He can be reached at Sjansen@muhsd.org.