Unproven Chevalier Sees Self as Architect for Land Reform

Andre Chevalier is bright and enthusiastic, easygoing yet hard-working, extremely likable and an excellent role model.

But can he coach?

More than a few eyebrows undoubtedly arched when Chevalier, 24, was hired this week as boys’ basketball coach at Cleveland High, his alma mater.

Including Chevalier’s.

“I was very surprised,” Chevalier said. “When I heard the job became open, it just hit me that this would be a good time to start coaching.”

Chevalier, who finished his four-year career at Cal State Northridge as the Matadors’ all-time scoring leader, returns to “The Land,” the name affectionately used to describe the Cleveland program that dominated area basketball during the 1980s.

The Cavaliers won three City Section championships during the decade and made five appearances in the finals, the last in 1987. Chevalier, who joined the varsity in 1987 and graduated in 1990, was starting point guard on a pair of teams that won 21 games.

Cleveland since has been mired in mediocrity, suffering through losing seasons in 1992 and 1995. Last season, the Cavaliers (15-9) won the West Valley League title but were defeated by Carson in the opening round of the 4-A Division playoffs.

In a sense, Chevalier is returning to The Land That Time Forgot.

“I want to bring the pride and tradition back,” Chevalier said. “When I was here, it was ‘We love The Land,’ and stuff like that. Just to hear the Cleveland name, you thought about basketball. I think I can do well and bring the program back to where it used to be and the respect that it had.”

Center Mike Schultz, one of four players expected to return next season, said Chevalier emphasized as much during an introductory meeting with players.

“I think he knows what he’s talking about,” Schultz said. “We all knew who he was. I think he [refereed] a couple of our [youth league] games once.”

Chevalier, who still could pass for a student, might seem like an unlikely successor to six-year Coach Kevin Crider, considering his coaching experience is limited to participation in camps.

But Chevalier is accustomed to fighting uphill battles. And he brings back to Cleveland a track record as an overachiever.

Chevalier, an All-City guard in 1990, excelled as a player despite being born without two middle fingers on his left hand and a severe vision problem in his right eye that stemmed from a childhood infection.

In the classroom, Chevalier maintained better than a B average at Cleveland and made the dean’s list at Northridge while earning a degree in Pan-African studies.

Chevalier, who will begin teaching at Cleveland in the fall, isn’t concerned with perceptions, particularly those formed by people who believe he won’t succeed.

“All my life, I’ve been dealing with that,” Chevalier said. “I had to practice dribbling a lot more than everybody else to get to the point where I could handle the ball. But now I can go to my left just as well as I go to my right.

“I know I used to walk around with my hands in my pockets a lot. But four or five years ago, I really became comfortable with it. I’ve been living with it all my life and it hasn’t stopped me from doing anything I’ve wanted to do.’

Chevalier, popular in the basketball community, is described as determined and fiercely competitive, attributes that likely will carry over to his coaching career.

“He can be very headstrong, and I don’t mean that in a negative way,” said Pete Cassidy, former coach at Northridge. “I always thought he was very goal-oriented.”

Former Cleveland Coach Bob Braswell, now an assistant at Oregon, said Chevalier’s easygoing appearance is deceiving.

Chevalier, whom Braswell describes as “a very special guy,” entered the Cleveland program shy and unfocused but departed as the team’s most disciplined and dedicated member.

“He bought into my philosophy early on about out-working people and that if you want something so badly you have to work and go and get it,” Braswell said.

Neither Cassidy nor Braswell said they can recall Chevalier expressing an interest in coaching, but both said they believe their former player has what it takes to succeed.

Aside from his inexperience, Chevalier’s only other potential drawback would appear to be his youth. A player only six years removed from his alma mater isn’t likely to cut a grandfatherly profile in the eyes of players.

Braswell is all too aware. A Cleveland alum, he became the Cavaliers’ coach at 23. However, he had spent five years as an assistant in the program and had the luxury of inheriting a team already a powerhouse.

Developing a balance between coach and comrade was essential, Braswell said. He said he believes Chevalier will be able to do the same.

“I told him, ‘Know that you have to be firm,’ ” Braswell said. “But the kids have to know you’re there for him. [But] I think he left [Cleveland] with a sense that he can be a big brother and a father, but when you step into the gym, you’re going to get down to business.”

Chevalier anticipates being challenged. And he says he will be ready.

“I’ll be able to talk to the kids on their level,” he said. “I’ll be a cool coach, but they’ll know where the line is. Just like I knew with Braswell where the line was. I know I’ll be tested. And when I’m tested, I know I’ll be ready.”