On the Sidelines with Dan Sousa - Griffis Couldn't Pass Up Broad Run Opportunity

On the Sidelines with Dan Sousa

Ashburn (Feb. 17, 2010) - The evolution of Matt Griffis' decision to leave his offensive coordinator position at Stone Bridge High School, where it was assumed that he would someday lead the Bulldog program after Mickey Thompson retired, went something like ...

First, a couple of years ago, around 2005, Griffis -- who has been coaching with Thompson for 14 years including four seasons at Park View and then all 10 that Stone Bridge has been opened --decided: I want to be a head coach.

And even though there were positions that might have been his for the asking, he had other considerations off the field such as a young family -- three children age five and younger, including a 1-year-old -- and so the timing was not right.

Then a year ago, Griffis, mentally took the next step and said: I think I'm ready to be a head coach.

The Bulldogs had just won a VHSL Division 5 state title in 2007 and then went undefeated in 2008 before losing to Phoebus in the state semifinals. The work Griffis had done with Patrick Thompson, turning the head coach's son from a tight end into a quarterback that shattered school passing records, put Griffis on everybody's who-should-get-the-next-head-coaching-position radar.

Yet, it wasn't that easy for Griffis as loyalty is paramount to the Herndon High School and Radford University graduate and he wasn't going to leave Stone Bridge just so he could put "head coach" on his resume.

His ideal position was one with community support and a community that he could support as he wanted to land a job where he could build a lasting impression and not just have it be a stepping stone to the next gig. He needed a "Wow" position and that is just what happened last month with Mike Burnett decided to leave Broad Run High School after back-to-back Division 4 state titles and a 28-game winning streak to open Tuscarora High School in Leesburg.

"For me, I have to live in the community where I coach and I didn't want to move my family to take a position. I was comfortable working with Coach Thompson until he retired and then the Broad Run position opened and I said "wow!".

Wow indeed ... and talk about a win-win situation for both school and coach.