Matthew Meeks | Dirty Birds Lacrosse Coach | Teacher
Some people coach only to win. Matthew Meeks coaches to connect.
He’s not in it for the trophies. He’s in it for the kids—their confidence, their joy, and their growth. That shows in every practice, every huddle, and every one-on-one.
Finding Lacrosse and Finding Himself
Like a lot of kids, Matthew tried baseball, basketball, and soccer. He liked being active, but none of them really stuck. It wasn’t until sixth grade that things shifted.
A neighbor introduced him to lacrosse. They threw the ball around in the yard. Matthew tagged along to a few games. And something clicked.
“I got a long pole that spring and I loved it. I loved the contact. I loved the chaos. I finally felt like I had a role on the team.”
By middle school, he was playing on a competitive select team. By high school, lacrosse had become a core part of his identity.
“I wasn’t a D1 athlete, but I loved the game. And I loved what it gave me: a sense of purpose, structure, and belonging.”
Some of his best seasons as a player happened when he had coaches who truly saw him—who understood what he needed and adapted their style to fit. That memory has shaped the kind of coach he’s become.
A Pause and a Comeback
Matthew didn’t play his senior year of high school. At the time, it didn’t feel like a big decision. He decided to prioritize academics and other interests. But looking back, it’s one of his few regrets.
“I didn’t realize it was my last real season of organized lacrosse. And I wish I’d had that one last chance to suit up.”
After a few years away, he came back to the sport in 2019 as a coach. At first, it was just a hobby. A way to stay connected. But soon, it became something much more.
“I started volunteering with Roswell and Cherokee. Then I joined a club team, started coaching middle school select programs, and it took off from there.”
Coaching as a Calling
Matthew now coaches middle school players in Marietta, GA, and his approach is deeply intentional.
“I always ask kids: what do you want out of this?” he says. “Some just want to have fun. Others want to go D1. I try to coach them based on where they’re at, not where I think they should be.”
That means adjusting his tone, expectations, and energy to fit the kid in front of him. It means knowing when to push and when to just let a player enjoy the game.
“I’ve had coaches that never really got to know me, and that stuck with me. I don’t want to be that kind of coach.”
For Matthew, lacrosse is more than a sport. It’s a passion and truly brings him fulfillment. When he’s coaching, nothing else matters for a few hours. He enjoys the present moment and focuses just on the game at hand. From a mindfulness perspective, he is experiencing a state of “flow.”
“When I coach, I’m not thinking about anything else. And I want that for my players too. I want them to leave practice feeling lighter. Like they just spent the past few hours doing something they love, and the stresses of daily life were completely absent during that brief time.”
Why It Matters
Matthew’s story is a reminder that coaching isn’t about creating carbon copies of yourself. It’s about meeting kids where they are and helping them grow in their own way.
Whether you’re coaching future pros or just giving kids a reason to smile after school, it all matters.
That’s what Grow the Game is about.
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