Matt Gracey is out after four years as head football coach at Heritage High School, athletic director Leta Meyer confirmed Tuesday.
Meyer said it’s time for the program to go in a new direction.
“We want to go out and find a good fit for us,” she said.
Gracey took to social media Monday to express his appreciation to Heritage players.
“Want to thanks (Heritage football) for a wonderful 4 years,” Gracey said. “I wish you the best as you head in a new direction. Good luck boys. As always I love you and hope only great things for you.”
Gracey teaches physical education at Heritage and served on the inaugural WIAA football state playoff seeding committee. When reached by The Columbian on Tuesday, Gracey said he’s proud of the great relationships formed with the players.
“Yes, we did not win as much as we’d like,” he said, “but I feel that I’ll have those relationships for the rest of my life.”
Gracey was hired at Heritage in 2015 after coaching stints in Arizona, California, and Port Angeles. He went 12-24 in four seasons at Heritage.
This fall, Heritage went 2-7 — the same record as Gracey’s first season at Heritage in 2015 — and dropped its final seven games in an injury-marred season. In 2017, Heritage won its first 4A Greater St. Helens League game since 2012 when it defeated Battle Ground, 28-21, on its way to going 4-5.
