GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The new regime of the Gridley Football program has begun as Mike Meyer accepted the job offer to be the next man leading the Bulldogs into the 2023 football season.

Meyer was previously the junior varsity head coach and the offensive coordinator for the varsity last season.

Meyer, who is in his younger 30’s, expressed to the Herald that he is grateful for the chance at the head coaching position at his age. I have been working a long time for the opportunity to get the opportunity to become a head coach,” Meyer said. He credits the mentorship of former head coach Matt Kemmis in helping him obtain the position. “I talk to him more than anyone at Gridley High School, and I appreciate everything he did for me,” he said.

The good news for Meyer coming into this position is he is not walking into the room as a stranger. The familiarity factor of him being the junior varsity head coach, and also working on the varsity level makes it an easy transition, as players know his expectations.

Meyer shared that some of his goals as coach included winning the Harvest Bowl yearly over Live Oak. Being on the coaching staff since the 2019 season, he has seen how much the game means to the community and the kids in the program. “None of the boys want to be ‘the team’ that loses the first Harvest Bowl and gives Live Oak the trophy back,” Meyer said. Gridley has won nine consecutive Harvest Bowls.

Meyer said being an offensive minded coach, means he plans to keep the ground and pound approach while making a few adjustments on the offensive side of the ball. He added that he looks at what players he has in the program and his offensive/defensive adjustments will be based on what the program is looking like.

One thing that won’t change is the attention to the weight training program, where Meyer believes they have a distinct advantage over other schools.

Meyer praised Kemmis as being the force responsible for revamping the weight program in the school. Meyer is looking to continue and grow the program now that he is at the helm. “Iron sharpens iron” and “don’t take any days off,” are just a few of the sentiments that Kemmis instilled in him, says Meyer.

With spring ball in full force ahead, Meyer told the Herald he can’t wait to get started over the summer as he gets all of the kids interested in being part of his inaugural year atop the program. He is excited to see how he can expand the program over time under his leadership.

Meyer added that on Thursday, May 18, Gridley will host its second annual sports night in the Guardian Building.

This is a community event and a chance for everyone to meet the 2023-24 coaching staff for all sports, buy sports passes, and ASB stickers for the following year.

Gridley Medical Specialty Center will be doing free physicals for all incoming eighth graders and above at the event. Students are asked to arrive no later than 7:15 p.m. for the free physical.

The Bulldogs are scheduled to open the season on Friday, September 1 at Wheatland.