Having already gained a wealth of experience at the NCAA Division II level with both playing and coaching stints at Central Missouri, John Grinde begins his fourth season at UNC Pembroke in 2019-20 as the offensive line coach for the Braves.
Grinde came to Pembroke after spending the previous three seasons in various roles on the coaching staff at Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo. He served as the tight ends coach and assistant offensive line coach during the 2015-16 campaign. He also served previous stints as an assistant wide receivers coach, as well as the running backs coach for the Mules.
Central Missouri enjoyed a bevy of success with Grinde on the coaching staff, turning in a 22-11 (.667) record from 2013-15, including a 2015 campaign that saw the Mules rattle off an impressive 8-3 clip and a 2014 campaign that culminated with an appearance in the Live United Texarkana Bowl. Along the way, he helped mentor some of NCAA Division II’s top talent, including running back LaVance Taylor who earned first team all-American, all-conference and all-region honors following the 2014 season in which he accounted for 2,618 all-purpose yards, including a league-best 1,918 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Tight end Ian Toalson took home all-America, all-region and all-conference laurels last season after finishing with 450 receiving yards and seven scores.
As a wide receiver for the Mules from 2009-12, Grinde helped Central Missouri to a cumulative 33-14 (.702) mark, including a trip to the NCAA Division II Playoffs in 2010. The Mules registered an 11-3 clip during the 2010 season, including an 8-1 mark across a grueling Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) schedule, as well as an appearance in Kanza Bowl.
A four-year dean’s list honoree, Grinde earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Central Missouri and went on to earn his master’s degree in kinesiology from UCM in 2015. He and his wife, Bailey, reside in Lumberton.
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| THE GRINDE FILE |
| Coaching Experience |
| 2013-14 |
Central Missouri, Assistant Coach (Wide Receivers) |
| 2014-15 |
Central Missouri, Assistant Coach (Running Backs) |
| 2015-16 |
Central Missouri, Assistant Coach (Tight Ends/Offensive Line) |
| 2016-Present |
UNC Pembroke, Assistant Coach (Offensive Line) |
|
| Playing Experience |
| Played four seasons (2009-12) at Central Missouri. The wide receiver helped lead the Mules to 33 wins, as well as an NCAA Division II Playoffs appearance in 2010. |
|
| Education |
| Bachelor’s degree in kinesiology (Central Missouri, 2013); Master’s degree in kinesiology (Central Missouri, 2015) |
