LAKEVIILE — LaVille Jr-Sr High School and Union-North United School Corporation are pleased to announce the hiring of Matt Thacker as the new Head Football Coach for the LaVille Lancers. Thacker is the 15th head football coach and succeeds Jeff Kaiser. Thacker brings more than 25 years of teaching experience and over 27 years of varsity football coaching, including eight seasons as a head football coach, to the LaVille program. Most recently, he served as Head Football Coach and Advanced Physical Education teacher at Wawasee High School, following a highly successful tenure as Head Football Coach at Fairfield Jr./Sr. High School. At Fairfield, Thacker led a comprehensive turnaround of the football program, growing participation from 28 to 75 student-athletes in grades 9–12 and earning both the 2020 Bill Sharpe Coach of the Year and Goshen News Coach of the Year honors. His leadership emphasized player development, strength and conditioning, and building a sustainable program from youth through varsity levels. In addition to his head coaching experience, Thacker has an extensive background as a coordinator and position coach, including time as an offensive coordinator, special teams coordinator, and offensive line coach. He has also served as Head Track Coach at multiple schools, significantly increasing program participation and earning multiple conference coach of the year recognitions. Thacker is deeply involved in the Indiana football community and currently serves as IFCA Region 2 Director, reflecting his commitment to collaboration, professional development, and the advancement of high school football statewide. “Coach Thacker is a proven program builder who understands how to develop young men on and off the field,” said Will Hostrawser, Athletic Director at LaVille. “His experience, leadership style, and commitment to building strong relationships align perfectly with LaVille’s tradition and expectations.” A graduate of Manchester College, Thacker holds a Master’s Degree in Education and is certified in Physical Education, Health, Special Education, and Driver Education. He has spent his career emphasizing student growth, accountability, and leadership both in the classroom and in athletics. Coach Thacker will begin his duties immediately as the Lancers prepare for the upcoming football season.