December 14, 2005

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Palo Alto Online

Gunn hires a new football coach

"We are extremely fortunate we have somebody the caliber of Matt McGinn taking over the program," said Gunn Principal Noreen Likins. "Matt McGinn has been at Gunn for four years and has done an excellent job with the student-athletes at our school."

McGinn will be taking over from Sam Picture, who is stepping down to spend more time with his family.

Picture, was one of the most successful coaches in Gunn history. In 2002 he led the Titans to their most successful season in 30 years when Gunn went 8-4 and advanced to the Central Coast Section semifinals. A main part of the success Gunn enjoyed was due to the year-round conditioning emphasized by Picture.

"Coach Picture instilled the right work ethic it takes to succeed and I want to build on that," said McGinn.

McGinn came to Gunn in the fall of 2002 with the idea that he would one day be the varsity coach. He was an outstanding athlete at Capuchino High, where he was a standout in football and wrestling.

After graduating from Capuchino in 1989, he went on to play at College of San Mateo and then was a two-year starter on the offensive line at the University of the Pacific.

Upon graduation of UOP, he was a grad assistant at his alma mater and then went on to coach at Terra Nova and Galt highs, before he came to Gunn.

McGinn is looking forward to challenging in the El Camino Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League next season.

"We have some good starters returning and there is a lot of talent coming up from frosh-soph," said McGinn. "I'm looking forward to developing a complete program from top to bottom with emphasis on making sure the frosh-soph gets good coaching to learn the basics. We're going to have a disciplined program that will make our athletes winners on and off the field. We are going to pay attention to details and we are going to work together."

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