Head Coach, Grant Edwards: Varsity Boys Cross Country
Grant Edwards’ first official coaching role came during his time as an undergraduate student at Princeton University when he coached youth basketball. He had many memorable and supportive coaches when he was younger (including his dad) who inspired him to pursue coaching.
“We had limited time and space to practice each week, but I remember that the kids loved getting to play on campus, and I loved working with them and coaching against some of my friends,” he said of his first coaching job.
Now, he is at the helm of Peddie varsity boys cross country.
Edwards was teaching and coaching at another boarding school when friends told him about an opening at Peddie. He had come to love teaching, coaching, advising and all of the other aspects of boarding school life.
“They spoke so glowingly of Peddie, and I have continually found their enthusiasm for the community echoed in my experiences with colleagues, students and so many others over the past six years,” he said.
For Edwards, the most rewarding part of coaching at Peddie lies in the opportunity to help young people as they identify what matters to them and then pursue those ideals and goals with enthusiasm.
“We will never forget the satisfaction that our cross country team felt before we realized that we had won the 2018 MAPL Championship,” Edwards said. “We knew that our squad had done everything possible to win, but we didn’t know if we had actually done so. That feeling of pride was only amplified when the team scores were announced, and our victory was clear.”
His colleagues and athletes serve as his greatest inspiration.
“As for my coaching philosophy, former Peddie Cross Country Head Coach Chris Bright introduced me to the idea that people won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care and it continues to guide my efforts as an educator,” Edwards said.
Outside of Peddie, Edwards loves spending time with his family, relaxing with friends, walking his dog, running, cooking and traveling.