One of the originators of Sierra’s prolific spread offense is stepping away from the football program after a three-year run as its head coach.
Jeff Abrew, a history teacher at the school, has held multiple positions at various levels in two coaching stints spanning 18 years.
“I’m forever grateful to all the players that I was able to coach and for the friendships that I have made through coaching.”
Abrew started as an assistant under Jeff Harbison, Sierra’s most successful head coach. They spearheaded the implementation of the spread offense at a time when most, if not all, Valley Oak League schools used more traditional, run-oriented schemes.
The spread helped the Timberwolves reach unprecedented heights, including their first postseason appearance in 2008, first league championships in 2009 and 2014, and first Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV and state championships in 2015.
Abrew took a break from coaching during the 2015 season but returned as JV coach under Chris Johnson in 2019 when Sierra captured its second section crown. He stayed on board after Johnson resigned in 2021, and Harbison came back as head coach for a year and revived the spread offense.
Abrew took over in 2023, leading the T’wolves to two playoff appearances. Sierra went 12-21 in his three seasons as head coach. The team endured injuries to several of its top players this past fall and was winless in the competitive VOL.
Abrew is one of just four head football coaches in the three-plus decades of the school’s existence.
“Abrew’s teams always gave max effort and were prepared for Friday nights,” Sierra athletic director Les Wheeler said. “He will be missed, but we are excited to see what he will do next.”
Wheeler added that the school is accepting applications for its next coach.
