AZTEC – For the first time since leading Navajo Prep to a state basketball title in 2024, Matt Melvin is back courtside as the new head coach of the Aztec High School boys basketball team.
Melvin officially stepped into the next chapter of his head coaching career Monday, greeting interested parents and athletes inside Lillywhite Gymnasium.
Melvin brings an impressive resume to Aztec based on his body of work with the Eagles. Over five seasons, he compiled a 102-26 overall record while capturing the District 1-3A title each year. He also cemented his place in Navajo Prep history by leading the program to its first-ever state championship in 2024 with a 60-50 win over Robertson High School.
Now, Melvin takes on a new challenge as he replaces former Aztec head coach Ryan Dee, who took over the program in 2020. Over the past five seasons, the Tigers posted a 29-108 overall record, including a 10-41 mark in District 1-4A play. Aztec’s boys basketball team hasn’t posted a winning record since going 16-9 during the 2010-11 campaign.
Still, Melvin said his previous experience has made him excited about the opportunity to build something new.
“I really enjoy being around a group of young guys, developing a program, trying to build it, and take it to something that it maybe hasn’t been to,” Melvin said. “I just really missed coaching the last couple years and I’m ready to get back in it.”
Less than two months after leading the Eagles to the Class 3A title, Navajo Prep announced Melvin’s departure. Melvin took over the coaching job following the 2018-19 season after the resignation of Rick Hoerner. In addition to the five district titles and the state championship, Melvin’s teams had a combined record of 55-1 against district competition.
Another part of the job that appealed to Melvin was the opportunity to compete at a higher classification and push the Tigers’ program to new heights.
“I think we showed what we could do at the 3A level and was hoping my next stop was going to be in 4 or 5A and just trying to do something that maybe hasn’t been done at a school,” he said.
Melvin also acknowledged the support he has already received from the Aztec community. He said school staff, central office employees and coworkers have all welcomed him warmly, which has only added to his excitement about getting started.
“I think the first step is building relationships, getting to know these guys and getting them to trust the things I’m going to ask them to do,” Melvin said. “I think you’ve just got to get guys to commit. If guys don’t like you, if guys don’t really buy into what you’re doing, it’s really hard to get them to play hard for you.”
Melvin hopes to begin open gyms and training sessions in early June, with the goal to attend a couple of summer camps as well. Beyond the offseason work, he wants to establish a cultural shift centered on community, consistency, structure and discipline.
“I think that will translate to a really hard working and competitive team pretty quick,“ Melvin said.