Welcome Coach Matt!
From Coach Houk:
Hello GCISD!
I wanted to reach out with a little background about myself before we kick off the summer season!
I am a development-based coach. You will rarely hear me talk about chasing wins or championships. My teams will always prioritize work ethic and development. I will set the precedent early and expect them to maintain that level throughout the season. A saying you will often hear from me is "winning is not the goal, it's the byproduct!"
I firmly believe in fair ice time distribution, but not necessarily equal. Some players may find themselves in different situations and may get more playing time than others. However, I will never let a player sit on the bench for an entire game. If you want more ice time, outwork everyone!
My goal every season is to foster a disciplined, respectful, and positive program. All GCISD teams should aim to have the fewest penalty minutes in the league. Negative body language will not be tolerated. To be on our benches, you must maintain a positive attitude, including coaches. While I don't expect an immediate change, we will work towards it.
I have a background in Sport Psychology with an emphasis on building team culture. We have much work to do with the GC culture, but I can assure you, parents, that my focus is on creating better human beings!
“Don’t walk through life just playing sports. Don’t walk through life just being an athlete. Athletics will fade. Character and integrity and really making an impact on someone’s life, that is the ultimate vision, that’s the ultimate goal - bottom line.” -Ray Lewis
Lastly, I am not just the Varsity HC. I am here to coach the entire program! You will see me at Varsity and JV games throughout the summer. When fall practices commence, I will be very hands-on during JV practices.
Never hesitate to reach out if you need me or have any questions!
Looking forward to seeing everyone!
Coach Matt
