(Griswold) A former Griswold Tiger is eager to take over the football program at his alma mater. Chase Wallace was named the head football coach at Griswold this offseason.
Wallace spent one season as an assistant under coach Andy Everett. Following coach Everett’s resignation he put his hat in the ring. “I’m very excited. I’m looking forward to the season and really getting started with the guys. It’s been nice getting back and getting some of the guys all together so we can be in the weight room and get in shape. It’s been a weird time right now, but we’re working to get back in shape and excited for the start of the year.”
He’s excited to take over for the coach he played for. “It’s pretty surreal to be honest. Being able to come back and take over the reigns after being able to play for and coach under Andy Everett. It was pretty memorable and being able to take over is exciting and to fill those shoes I’m looking forward to it.”
Wallace comments on what he learned from coach Everett both as a player and in the year spent coaching under him. “Just how much work it takes. Film wise outside of practice and the games, it’s a lot. The first thing he’d be doing after games on Friday was watching film of the game we finished.” He learned a lot about offensive line play as well. “I’m grateful for everything he taught me.”
A top priority of his will be to build the size of the roster. “Getting numbers is the first thing we have to focus on. It seems like we’ve been going down year after year. We’re trying to get some new guys out that haven’t played and really get the guys interested.” Twenty-two players are signed up including a handful of newcomers and they’ll take as many as they can get.
He hopes to develop a mentally tough team as well, especially with a lot of guys that will be playing on offense, defense, and special teams. The team brings back some veteran players. “Lane Mueller is back, Sam Olson, Colton Turner, some guys up front like Brandon Bellmeyer. We have a bunch of returning guys. Even some younger guys that played a lot last year like Cale Swain who had a good year as a freshman. We have some good returning talent, we just have to get them in there and start learning the changes we are going to make for the offense and defense.”
Carter Stephens and Kevin Farr round out the staff plus Heath Larsen has been hired as a strength and conditioning coach.
