Horace High School Hires First Boys Varsity Soccer Head Coach

Matt Crawford, former West Fargo High coach, to lead new Hawks program

Mar. 24, 2026 at 7:15pm

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West Fargo Horace High School has announced the hiring of Matt Crawford as the first head coach for the school's new boys varsity soccer program. Crawford, who previously served as head coach of the West Fargo High School soccer team, will be tasked with building the Horace program from the ground up.

Why it matters

The addition of a boys varsity soccer program at Horace High School represents an exciting new opportunity for student-athletes in the community to participate in the sport at the high school level. Crawford's hiring brings experienced leadership to help establish the program and lay the foundation for future success.

The details

During his three seasons as head coach of the West Fargo High School soccer team, Crawford compiled a 24-18-8 overall record, led the team to an Eastern Dakota Conference championship, and guided the Packers to the state tournament twice, including a state championship appearance in 2024. Horace High School administrators cited Crawford's proven track record of building a successful program as a key factor in his selection as the first head coach for the new Hawks boys varsity soccer team.

  • Horace High School announced Crawford's hiring on March 24, 2026.
  • The Horace Hawks will host Fargo North in the program's first-ever varsity match on August 18, 2026.

The players

Matt Crawford

The newly hired head coach of the Horace High School boys varsity soccer program, Crawford previously served as head coach of the West Fargo High School soccer team, where he compiled a 24-18-8 overall record, won an Eastern Dakota Conference championship, and led the Packers to the state tournament twice, including a state championship appearance in 2024.

Aaron La Deaux

An administrator at Horace High School who expressed excitement about Crawford's hiring and his ability to build a strong program from the ground up.

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What they’re saying

“We are excited to welcome Coach Crawford to Horace High School as the program's first head coach. His proven success, including an EDC championship and state tournament experience, speaks to his ability to build and sustain a strong program. It was evident from his interview his excitement and commitment to developing young men aligns perfectly for building a program from the ground up.”

— Aaron La Deaux

“To start a new program from the ground up is a challenging endeavor in itself, but I am excited for the opportunity to grow soccer in the Horace community. Being a teacher in the Horace school system over the last few years has allowed me to see the motivation and drive these student-athletes have, to grow both on and off the field. Leaving behind the West Fargo Packer program and the amazing people in it is difficult to grasp, but I'm excited to continue seeing those students grow from a distance. At Horace, my first priority is getting to know the students and parents within the program and beginning to grow relationships with all in the community.”

— Matt Crawford, Head Coach, Horace High School Boys Varsity Soccer

What’s next

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The takeaway

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