Seaforth announced Tolbert Matthews as its new head football coach on social media last week.
Matthews, who’s replacing former Seaforth coach Terrance Gary, spent the last two seasons coaching linebackers at Fayetteville State. Prior to FSU, he served as the defensive quality control analyst and assistant athletic director for football operations and compliance at William & Mary, and he was a co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Virginia University of Lynchburg from 2018-19.
“We are extremely excited and grateful to have Coach Matthews on board to lead us into the new era of Hawk Football,” the school said in a statement posted on social media.
Before landing at Seaforth, Matthews took on various coaching roles in the Wake County Public Schools system. He interned at NC State and Duke in multiple positions within the athletic departments from 2014 to 2017.
Matthews, a native of Norfolk, Virginia, played football at Delaware State and Elizabeth City State, graduating from ECSU with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He has a master’s degree in sports management from Liberty University.
Prior to the new era under Matthews, Seaforth went 9-21 in its first three varsity seasons.
After going 2-8 in 2022, the Hawks won a program-high four games in 2023, including a program-best 4-4 conference record.
In 2024, Seaforth went 3-7 overall and 3-5 in conference play. Although they missed the playoffs for the third straight season, the Hawks played in a program-high of three one-possession games, including a 18-16 season-opening loss to Westover, a 9-6 loss to Northwood and a 27-24 loss to Bartlett Yancey.
Gary, who became the school’s first football coach in 2021, announced his decision to step down in January.
In a thank you letter to the school and its community, Gary said it was a “difficult decision.”
“My intentions were to stay on the sidelines for as long as I could, but I must prioritize what is best for my family and myself at this time,” Gary said. “This decision has not come easily, and I will deeply miss being part of this wonderful team.”
Gary told the Chatham News & Record his decision came down to how he and the sacrifices made to build the program “neglected” his health.
“His hard work, commitment, and passion for the sport laid a strong foundation for the program’s future success,” Seaforth athletic director Jared Worley said in a statement.
Seaforth’s future already looks much different with Matthews taking over.
In the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s realignment from four to eight classes, Seaforth transitioned from the 2A classification to 5A.
Seaforth, which has been a member of the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference for the past three football seasons, will now play in the Big 7 4A/5A conference alongside Orange, Cedar Ridge, South Granville, Webb and Carrboro. None of those teams had a winning record last season, and only South Granville made the playoffs in 2024.
The Hawks will open their season on Aug. 22 at Chapel Hill. They will host Orange on Oct. 3 to open conference play.