“This is exactly where I want to be,” he said. “I get to maintain my job, be the family man I want to be, be involved in hockey and be in a community that has that small-town family feel. It’s a dream opportunity for me.”
McGrinder was Moeller’s head coach for four seasons, the last being 1995-96, before stepping away because of his first son’s birth.
He’s coached in the youth ranks the past three years, spending last winter with the Butler County Youth Hockey Association.
THS Athletic Director Chris Weaver was impressed with McGrinder’s passion.
“It was one of those times throughout an interview process where you kind of just sit back and listen,” Weaver said. “His enthusiasm and love for teaching and coaching the game of hockey was unmatched. Working with these young kids was clearly a priority for him.”
The Waterloo, Ontario, native was a defenseman for four years at Miami (starting with the 1986-87 campaign) and also had a short stint with the Cincinnati Cyclones before an injury ended his career.
“Anybody that knows me knows that I’m intensely passionate,” said McGrinder, 44. “I’m probably even more passionate about making a difference in people’s lives. We have the opportunity to emulate one of the greatest programs in college hockey right now, and a lot of their success has to do with off-ice stuff.
“My focus is to make sure that the kids on this team are people of character and integrity,” he continued. “I want to teach them values and skills that make them great sons, great brothers and great husbands. And in the process, I’m going to teach them a heck of a lot of hockey.”
His on-ice philosophy is marked by two things — discipline and outstanding special-teams play.
“This is not going to be a team that takes it easy,” McGrinder said. “I demand hustle. This will be a disciplined team. If I’m going to win, I’m going to win the right way. The bottom line is be patient. I know it works. I’ve seen it work with Miami’s hockey program, and it starts off the ice.”
McGrinder, who earned a media management degree at Miami, lives in Colerain Twp. and is the sales and marketing manager at Liberty Marking Systems in Cincinnati.
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