Chuck Perez is the new coach of the Hawks women’s basketball team

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Coach Perez's headshot wearing blue Hawks hoodie and a blue background.

HFC Hawks Athletics has named Chuck Perez the head coach of the HFC women’s basketball team.

Perez had served as assistant coach and then was promoted to interim head coach of the Hawks during the 2024-25 season.

“Growing up in Dearborn and having mentors like Coach Richard Stehlik and Coach John Kreger, this feels like a full circle moment drawing me back to my hometown of Dearborn with my coaching career,” said Perez. "I would like to thank Hawks Athletic Director Rochelle Taylor for this opportunity."

The youngest of five sons, Perez lives in Grosse Ile with Yvette, his wife of 36 years. They have two adult children and one granddaughter.

Perez has worked as an electronics technician for 5 of the 37 years he’s been at the U.S. Postal Service, and he regularly attends the USPS National Center for Employee Development in Norman, OK. This training helped him achieve his current role.

An accomplished coaching career at the high school level

Perez graduated from Fordson High School, where he played basketball and baseball. He has been a coach for 26 years.

“My family has been very supportive of the years I have spent coaching,” said Perez. “I loved playing basketball as a kid. When it was time for our children to play sports, I volunteered to coach.”

For five years, Perez was the head coach of the women’s varsity basketball team at Trenton High School. For nine years, he was the head coach of the women’s varsity basketball team at Allen Park High School. Prior to that, he was the head coach of the women’s junior varsity team at Allen Park for one year and assistant coach the year before. He also served as the coach of the freshman boys’ basketball team at Woodhaven High School.

His coaching accomplishments include:

“In my 14-year career as a high school head coach, I helped with player development. Seven players went on to play at junior colleges, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics schools, and Division 2 and Division 3 universities,” said Perez.

Perez’s vision for the Hawks

HFC marks Perez’s first time as a head coach at the collegiate level.

“The people at HFC are very friendly and willing to help in any way they can,” said Perez. “All you have to do is ask. I have to give credit to one of my fellow coaches, Bill Borg, during my time at Allen Park. He was very instrumental in my coaching education.”

He spoke about his plans for the Hawks.

“My vision will involve focusing on academic priorities,” he said. “We will create a positive team environment. Player development resulting in advancement to a 4-year program is important. Preparation will be a very important life skill. The word ‘culture’ is used a lot in athletic programs. To me, what that means is how people outside of your program view you, what they think your identity is. Our identity should be a strong work ethic in the classroom and on the court. Team members should be dependable, accountable, a good teammate, and good sportsmanship.”

Stability is another goal.

“I plan to use a blueprint of the culture of stability I used during my five years at Trenton and my nine years at Allen Park,” said Perez. “I hope to create a feeder program for 4-year colleges and universities.”

“The most important play is the next one”

For Perez, the best part of coaching is seeing the progress in the development of his players.

“When you encourage them, especially while they are doubting themselves, they realize their accomplishments, and it brings a smile to their faces. Being proud of your players is very fulfilling,” he said. “The most challenging part is teaching players how to manage their emotions, celebrate success, and learn from losses without being overwhelmed. We like to use the ‘next play’ mentality. Whether you make a great play or a mistake, the most important play is the next one.”

HFC Associate Athletic Director Kirk Bradley extended a warm welcome to Perez.

“We are thrilled to have Coach Perez lead our women’s basketball program,” said Bradley. “His experience, leadership, and dedication to developing student-athletes make him the perfect coach for HFC. We look forward to a bright future under his leadership.”