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Oakton's Gray to step down Saturday
Oakton boys lacrosse coach Tony Gray has informed his team that he will step down following Saturday's state final. Gray and his wife had their first daughter, Mackenzie, on Feb. 16 and Gray wants to spend more time at home with his newborn.
“I just told the guys that I've coached a number of guys for eight years and now it's time to coach my daughter,” said Gray, who hopes to be back on the sideline in two years. “A lot of parents have been very supportive of it. We have a family atmosphere at Oakton. It made sense for me to stop because my family is so important to me.”
While Gray says he has not tried to use his decision as a motivational tactic, Oakton's players admit they want to end the season on a high note.
“We want to go out with a win,” said senior Rob Koster. “We want to put him on top.”
Gray has coached at Oakton for eight years, qualifying for the state tournament five times and winning three consecutive state championships from 2003 to 2005. The Cougars will try to send him out with No. 4 when they take on Chantilly Saturday at 7 p.m. at Westfield High School in the state title game.
“I'm just taking a couple years off just to spend some time with my daughter,” Gray said. “Everybody says you don't get that time back. Just four months with her so far has been fantastic. I want to share some more time.”
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