Rowland set to lead Rams

By JOSE NEGRON

jnegron@yourmvi.com

When Matt Rowland leads the Ringgold boys basketball team on to the court to begin the 2021-22 season this winter, he won’t do so with an interim tag. 

Rowland, who has been leading the Rams as their interim coach for over a month following the departure of former head coach Eugene Wilson, was unanimously hired as Ringgold’s new head coach during a school board meeting Wednesday. 

“It’s a very exciting time,” said Rowland, who spent last season as an assistant coach on Wilson’s staff. “It wasn’t how I expected because we obviously didn’t think Coach Gene would be leaving as quickly as he did, but to have the opportunity to work with the kids on a full-time basis now and get them ready for the season through the summer is exciting for all of us.” 

Ringgold Athletic Director Laura Grimm said Rowland brings a unique knowledge of the district to the position as well as an understanding of where the program currently is. 

“He shares my vision of where we want to see the program go,” Grimm said. “Most importantly he is committed to the district and these kids. He will be able to provide the consistency and stability that we need right now. I’m tremendously excited for him to officially get started.” 

A 2005 Belle Vernon graduate and a former standout for the Leopards, Rowland began his coaching career with his former coach John Dudzinski at Belle Vernon from 2009 to 2012. 

He helped out with the Ringgold youth program and spent the last two seasons as the head middle school coach for the Rams before joining Wilson as an assistant for the varsity team this past winter. 

Now, Rowland is eager to begin serving in his first head coaching job at the high school level. 

“I helped coach at Belle Vernon after college and it was something I dabbled with,” Rowland said. “I have four young children, so I put a pause on it for a little while and then got back to it the last few years. It’s definitely come together faster than I thought, but I can’t express how excited I am.” 

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