Matt Gracey is out after four years on the job
Matt Gracey wanted to remain on this journey with the Heritage football program.
School officials felt otherwise.
“It’s within the rights of the school to have whoever they want as a coach. They decided they don’t want me to be the coach. It’s unfortunate,” Gracey said. “But as we tell the kids, life throws you curveballs and you have to roll with the punches. I’ll roll with this one, too.”
Leta Meyer, the athletic director at Heritage, confirmed that a decision was made earlier this week. Football players received the news in a meeting.
“I want to thank Matt for his four years in the program and wish him the best,” Meyer said.
Gracey also thanked his players and wished them well on Twitter on Tuesday morning.
Later in the day, he told ClarkCountyToday.com how he will always value the players he helped, on and off the field.
“I thought we got a lot more football smart,” Gracey said. “I thought we had some kids do som great things.”
He noted there are several former players now playing college football.
“We made a lot of good young people and made a lot of great relationships,” Gracey said. “That’s what it boils down to.”
Gracey’s best season with Heritage came in 2016 when the team went 4-5. Gracey said he would be interested in returning to the sideline as an assistant coach in Clark County someday.
As far as Heritage football, he said he wants the program to find the right person.
“I hope they get someone who does a fantastic job and the kids have wild success,” Gracey said. “That would make me happy that we did something good.”
In-house personnel can apply now and the job will be open to all by the end of this week, Meyer said.
“I think that our kids are deserving of the best. They will work hard. They want success. They’re hungry for success,” Meyer said. “I think the world of Heritage kids. Our kids are special, they really are.”
