Former Hidden Valley quarterback Matt Kennedy began assisting in the Grants Pass program in 2013.

As a first-time football head coach, Matt Kennedy has inherited a promising situation at Grants Pass.

Kennedy, an assistant in the program for 11 seasons, takes over a team that has one of the state's top quarterbacks in 6-foot-5, 225-pound junior Jordan Rossetta and a bounty of players that includes about 75 juniors and sophomores.

The freshman head coach the last two seasons, he is well acquainted with his personnel.

“Jordan is the most recognizable name out of that group, but the junior class and sophomore class have a lot of good kids,” Kennedy said. “He's got a lot of guys to distribute the football to. I'm excited to work with him and this collection of kids.”

Kennedy played quarterback at Hidden Valley, where he graduated in 2000. He walked on at Oregon and made the team, practicing alongside star quarterback Kellen Clemens.

Kennedy assisted at Hidden Valley from 2004 to 2012. He also served as the girls basketball coach at Hidden Valley for three seasons (2008-11), leading the Mustangs to the 4A tournament in 2009 and posting a 52-30 overall record.

Kennedy joined the football staff at Grants Pass under John Musser in 2013. He had a six-year run as the Cavemen's offensive coordinator (2016-21) before taking a year off and returning as the freshman coach.

In February, he was hired as head coach to replace Brad Page, who resigned after going 14-17 in three seasons. Grants Pass finished 6-5 last season, making the quarterfinals of the 6A secondary bracket.

Rossetta, who saw varsity action as a freshman, had a breakout sophomore season. He completed 59.3 percent of his passes for 2,728 yards and 34 touchdowns and ran for three scores. He broke six school records and made the Special District 1 first team.

“He's kind of everything you want from your leader,” Kennedy said of Rossetta, a 4.0 student. “He carries himself with humility. He stays grounded. He's got all the tools. He's pretty poised, and he's able to take a hit if he needs to.”

Kennedy is working on improving the fundamentals of Rossetta, who participated in the prestigious Manning Passing Academy last week.

“We're getting a chance to work on a lot of footwork, which is something that will just improve his ability to put the ball on target on time,” Kennedy said. “He's got a pretty elite arm. He can throw the ball just about anywhere. Now it's just about getting his feet underneath him.”

Rossetta wasn't the only sophomore to stand out for Grants Pass last season. Treyton Powers rushed for 1,229 yards and scored 20 touchdowns. Brevik Hill had 767 receiving yards and hauled in 11 scoring passes.

Kennedy is eager to work with them as he returns to his role as the team's offensive coordinator.

“Last year it was kind of Air Raid, and lightning tempo,” he said. “We'll have the ability to go fast, but I think our average plays per game will probably drop. But we're still going to base out of the shotgun spread offense, and try to distribute to as many of our weapons as we can.”

Kennedy, who teaches history and psychology at Grants Pass, is encouraged by player participation in the offseason. He said that the team is averaging about 55 players each day in summer workouts. It is part of a positive trend.

“The numbers are going to grow over the next few years,” he said.

As he leads the Cavemen, Kennedy said he is inspired by the late Jamie Merrill, the sister of his wife, Lynsey. Merrill died of cancer in March 2023 and Kennedy spoke at her funeral, summarizing her outlook with the phrase, “Better than before.”

“It captured the way she lived her life,” Kennedy said. “She was always trying to personally improve and make a positive impact.”

When Kennedy returned to coaching, the phrase became the motto for the freshman team.

“Then this job opened up, and it was in some ways honoring her legacy,” Kennedy said. “I'm stoked to coach football, but I'm equally as passionate about trying to spread that message to these young guys.”