On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the IHS boys basketball team celebrated a great win against Lincoln West with a score of 68-32, marking Head Coach Matt Grendel’s 100th career win.
Basketball has been more than a sport for Grendel; it has been a lifelong influence that shaped his values, routines, and approach to leadership. His coaching philosophy, he said, developed naturally over time, rooted in his own experiences as a player and the coaches who made the biggest impact on him. Above all, his goal is to create a positive experience for his players, one that mirrors the joy, growth, and sense of belonging he found through basketball. “Being part of a team has been a huge part of my life,” Grendel said. “I want the kids I coach to have that same type of experience.”
Assistant Coach Hugh McMahon said he feels very fortunate that Coach Grendel asked him to assist him this year. “He has a passion for Independence overall, but really for growing the basketball program, and he’s a perfect fit to lead Independence basketball.”
His journey in basketball began on the court at our very own IHS gym! After high school, he attended Lake Erie College, where he played all four years and started in more than half of his college games.
The transition from high school to college basketball was challenging at first, as he adjusted to playing with teammates he hadn’t grown up with, but it ultimately became one of the most rewarding chapters of his life.
Many of his closest friendships were formed through the game, and the lessons he learned, for instance, discipline, accountability, and structure, continue to influence him today. One small but telling example still sticks with him: after being late to a morning shoot around in college and paying the price with extra running, he bought an alarm clock. He still uses it today as a reminder of the importance of routine and responsibility.
After graduating, he moved directly into coaching while beginning his career at Painesville Riverside. He served as the JV coach there for four years before being hired as the varsity head coach at just 27 years old. He led the program for eight seasons, gaining valuable experience and further improving his coaching style before taking on his current role.
Returning to coach at the same school where he once played has been especially meaningful. Some of his favorite memories from high school revolve around basketball, not just what happened during games, but the friendships, shared experiences, and time spent together throughout the season. Now, as a head coach, he takes pride in the opportunity to give back to a program that helped shape him. “It’s meant a lot to me,” he said. “It’s something I’m very proud of.”
