The Griffon News

Griffon football has some old veterans coming back to help coach the team this season.

Six players that played last year are back to help the Griffons collect some wins. They include Brady Rabatin, Brad Hankins, Jay White, Brett Pettigrew Marques Salmond and Tony Matzke. These players bring their experience and excellence to the Griffon coaching staff.

Salmond has experience in both college and arena football. His South Dakota team went 17-0 last season. Salmond says that college football and arena ball are different.

He said you have to get used to arena football. The game is faster, the field is smaller and the rules are different. The change in the game wasn’t why Salmond came back to Missouri Western; he needed his degree.

“I came back for school and money,” Salmond said.

Many athletes’ eligibility is done before they get their degree. Coaching is a way to get experience, a paycheck and an education.

One obstacle these coaches have to overcome is the urge to play.

“Every time we play I want to suit up,” Salmond said.

Instead he stands on the sidelines. As a result, he sees the game from a different perspective.

“I can see the whole play develop because now I’m a spectator,” Salmond said. “It was harder to see the play when I played, because everybody was in motion.”

Coaches are not only the ones who have to adjust. Returning players now have former teammates as coaches. Just ask staring linebacker Seth Hane.

“It’s weird when I hear a freshman say ‘Coach Matzke’ or ‘Coach White,’” Hane said.

Although it’s weird, Hanes feels the advice these coaches give is not hard to take or follow.

“Guys like Matzke know a lot about every team we play,” Hane said. “He played against them for four years so he knows what he’s talking about.”

Salmond believes that as the roles change so do his thoughts about coaches.

“I have a lot more respect for coaches and what they do for the team,” Salmond said. “They put in hours of work each week to game plan.”

This is something that Salmond is going to have to look forward to, but it will be a few years until then.

“After I graduate, I’m going to see how far football takes me,” Salmond said. “After that, I’m going to go back to California to coach.”

The new coaches are giving extra eyes to the players on and off the field. What seems to be a win, win situation could help produce more victories for the Griffon football team.

Football players hired as coaches - image