Quinns to share rare Father-Son moment

St. Thomas More coach Jere Quinn has specific instructions about today's game against Winchendon School, which is coached by his son Matt.

His sleeping arrangements depend on the final score.

"My wife (Judy) says I can win by just seven, then it sounds like it's a good game," Jere said. "If I win by a lot more, I don't come home for the night."

St. Thomas More (7-1) faces Winchendon (1-6) at 2 p.m. in the Peace Players International Tournament in Montville.

Prior to taking his first head coaching job, Matt, 29, spent two years as an assistant on his father's staff. He's looking forward to the homecoming.

"It should be fun to be back on campus," Matt said. "The kids are pretty pumped up as well. They're excited."

Matt, the oldest of four Quinn children, grew up around St. Thomas More, watching countless practices and games.

He played college basketball at Bucknell, graduating in 2004. By then he had caught the basketball bug that his father still has to this day. He worked overseas for two years with Peace Players International, a program that uses basketball to bridge gaps in divided societies.

In 2008, he returned to St. Thomas More. He's grateful that his father gave him a lot of responsibility.

"He had a major influence on me," Matt said. "I was always sitting in the gym at night watching practice. I grew up watching him coach. He has a tremendous amount of information."

Matt heard about the Winchendon opening from former coach Michael Byrnes, who left to be an assistant at Robert Morris. Once he visited campus, it was an easy decision.

"I was so used to being at St. Thomas More and enjoyed it so much," Matt said. "It sparked my interest. When I saw what they were doing on campus and where the school is going, that's what sold me. I decided to give it a shot."

Matt welcomed the chance to remain at the prep school level where he can help impressionable teenagers down the path to maturity. He also teaches math.

Traditionally a solid New England prep school program, Winchendon - located north of Worcester, Mass. and near the New Hampshire border - is in a rebuilding phase. Matt is willing to be patient and grow with his program. He's still figuring out his coaching style.

He shares his father's passion and demanding personality. People have told him that their sideline mannerisms are similar. Their approach is about the same, too.

"We don't judge things by wins and losses but by how hard the kids play," Matt said. "As a head coach, I'm calm and I yell. I just try to maximize a kid's potential."

Matt recalled a conversation last summer between his father and St. Thomas More standout Andre Drummond about the final score of their first meeting.

The prediction of St. Thomas More's winning margin rose to 15, then 20.

It was all in good fun until his mother walked in.

"My mom said if you beat them by more than 30, you're not welcome home that night," Matt recalled. "That was pretty funny."

Apparently Judy has lowered the acceptable margin of victory since that conversation.

Jere admits that coaching against his son will be a bit uncomfortable but still enjoyable.

"It will be fun," Jere said. "The whole family is coming in. I'm not 100 percent comfortable. The kids decide the game anyway."

Matt figures he can't lose no matter the score.

"We have such a good relationship," Matt said. "No matter what happens, it certainly won't affect us. And I can get a couple pointers."