With a rich family culture of coaching in the Valley, Jimmy Cerf looks to build Justin-Siena back into a contender

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By Kyle Foster

Kfost91197@gmail.com

Twitter/X: @NapaKyle @NapaSportsNews 

Normally, when springtime is in the air, there is optimism because the weather is better. It’s also the start of those sports that come along with that season. But football is also right around the bend, even if you don’t realize it. 

Over the winter, it was announced that Justin-Siena hired Jimmy Cerf as its new head football coach. He will be tasked with bringing the program back to the glory it once had. 

“I think a couple things there,” Justin-Siena Athletic Director Andy Bettencourt said of Cerf. “ Number one, when he applied, and we saw his resume, obviously, his resume spoke for itself in terms of where he had been and what he had done. I think number two, in talking to people that knew him as a coach and asking around about him. People not only didn’t say a bad word about him, but they said, ‘You need to make sure you hire this guy.’ That was really important. And then I think three, I think during the interview process, you could just see how much he loves football and loves working with kids. I think something that stuck out to us was (that) he kept talking about wanting to build culture, and that’s really important in coaching. A lot of us as coaches, we’re the same X’s and O’s. We can look stuff up, we can figure it out. We can go to clinics if your team doesn’t have great culture, the X’s and O’s matter less and less.” 

He also has a history of bringing programs back to being competitive. This is something he is looking to do with the Braves. He’s already been working hard to build the numbers in the program.  

Of course, you can’t be competitive if you’re not building a good culture first. This is important when you’re looking to change things around.   

So far, his progress with Justin-Siena is no different. He has been leading the weight room program, which has seen a large turnout. But before the weight room program began, there was a meeting to set expectations that was also well-attended.  

“The meeting was great,” Cerf pointed out in a March 30th interview. “Our first meeting was on March 6th, expectations, standard culture. Then, ever since we opened up the weight room, numbers have been growing. Last week, we hit our biggest number. Kids are coming in there to work, and they’re excited, and they’re getting better. Great turnout from the lower classes, freshmen, and sophomores, which is super exciting.”

But if there’s one thing that is key to the school, it’s having many players playing more than one sport. Since he took over in the spring season, he has had players participating in the spring season. 

“We know that a lot of our guys are playing other sports, which here at Justin-Siena is something that we want to do,” Cerf added. “I want to have players who are starting running back, hopefully is the point guard, and the center fielder. So I’m hoping that we have guys who play multiple sports, and we know that that’s where they are right now. But we’re finding ways to get them in the weight room as well. So it’s been great, and hopefully excitement continues to build.” 

There has been a good spark in the offseason activities as spring ball gets ready to begin. That is one of the main things that made him stand out for the position.

“Jimmy just brings such a great enthusiasm, which is great and which is really helping him, I think, put a spark into the program, but also on top of that, Jimmy’s a really good football coach,” Bettencourt explained. “I think in talking to him and seeing what his plans are, I’m really excited to get to the summer and fall and see the product that we have on the field. Obviously, you know, we have a long way to go, and we have a lot of work to do, but Jimmy is definitely the right guy for the job, and we’re just really excited that we were able to get a coach that is at his level.” 

On top of this, Cerf has also begun to assemble a pretty solid coaching staff. It’s a mix of returners and new faces. 

Even though there’s a new regime in charge, there are a lot of familiar faces from Justin-Siena who are back. This is another factor that is helping the program gain momentum.

“I think what’s been impressive is how many times we’ve seen people in this building meeting with Coach Jimmy and getting his staff together, putting staff meetings together, being very intentional about (the) hiring process, and where we want to put different people,” Bettencourt explained of the solid staff assembled already. “It’s been really fun to watch and be a part of. Building staff is not easy, but it’s really important. And you know, we’re just here to make sure that we put the right people in front of our kids that are not only going to be good football coaches, but help the young men become better people, and leave here having had a meaningful experience in our football program.” 

This past family heritage is something that he is happy to continue. Not to mention, he has always had mentors to work with and talk to as resources. 

He will also be coaching alongside his father, Jim. After all, Jim will be calling the defense for the Braves, making it a family deal on the sideline at games. 

“My dad is an unbelievable coach,” Cerf emphasized. “I learned a lot from him through my career. He’s been my biggest fan, but biggest critique all at the same time. But I don’t trust anybody more when it comes to football, and so having him in my circle and leading our defense is going to be something that is going to be a load off my mind. So to know that he’s committed to that is exciting, not just because he’s a great defensive mind, but he’s also a great coach and a great mentor for these young men.” 

The thing is, Cerf is far from new around the area. This includes a rich family tradition in the Napa Valley. His grandfather, Milt, coached with Dick Vermiel in Calistoga. 

“Yeah, my grandpa coached at Calistoga, and Dick Vermeil’s brother was the water boy or the ball boy, something like that,” Cerf said of his family history in the valley. “But yeah, it’s great to be back and coaching.  I’ll be able to coach with my dad, which is something I’m really excited about.” 

When the season begins, he will also be calling the offense. He will be the team’s offensive coordinator. Offense is something that he likes and is something he enjoys having his expertise behind. 

“I enjoy doing it,” Cerf explained. “I’ve been doing it my entire career, and so it’s just kind of a it just felt like a no-brainer. Didn’t even honestly think too much behind it. Just that’s what I’ve been doing, and so it doesn’t matter where I am, trying to score more points than the other guy, so that’s what I’ll be doing.” 

That being said, he isn’t coming in with a set offense. He plans to run an offense that makes sense with the personnel he has available. 

“We’re going to be players, formations, then plays,” Cerf added. “It’s about what our guys can do, and once we find out what they can do, we’re going to put them in the formations to build the best advantage for them, and then it’s going to be plays. It doesn’t matter if I like the play. It matters if we can be good, and our players are able to do that. There’s going to be things that our offense will be able to improvise, adapt, and overcome, day by day, week by week, and year by year. The terminology will stay the same.” 

The Braves also have a busy summer on tap. They’ll have their normal practices, but will also do some 7-on-7 contests with other schools during the summer. This will be a way to break up the long summer and see another jersey other than your own.  

“We’re gonna get after this summer,” Cerf said of the summer program. “We’re gonna be going three days a week, partnered with a couple coaches here in the valley, and then outside for seven-on-sevens on Wednesday nights. But we’re going to be getting out there in the weight room and on the practice field multiple days a week. Yeah, we’re going to be going against teams seven-on-seven-wise on Wednesday night. So we’re really excited about it.” 

Cerf has also taken on a role at the school to be on campus. He is the Director of Service and Outreach.   

“So big transition, move the family down here to be back home. But it’s been great,” Cerf said of getting settled in. “The administration support has been awesome. Andy’s been great to work with a lot of people in this area, alumni, past coaches, past whomever are excited about Justin-Siena football, and so am I. So it’s been a great transition and great experience so far.” 

The fall season officially begins on August 10th. August 26th is when games may begin. We will have a complete preview of Justin-Siena around this time.