Garry Linstra

Husband, Proud Father to Griffin and Cameron, H &PE Teacher WB/Head Coach of Wall HS Boys Soccer and Boys Volleyball and Freshman Girls Basketball Coach

[Greg Berge @GregBerge]

Why Coaching Is Harder Than People Think (A Holiday Reminder)…

Because coaching isn’t just about plays, drills, or game nights.

It’s about people.

It’s about walking into practice every day and managing emotions you didn’t create but are responsible for.

Your own.
Your players.
Your assistants.
Parents.
Administrators.
Fans.

It’s about teaching kids who are all at different stages.

Different maturity levels.
Different confidence levels.
Different home situations.

And somehow holding them to the same standards while still meeting them where they are.

It’s about decisions that look simple from the stands but feel heavy from the sideline.

Who plays.
When.
Why.
How you communicate it.

And how that decision might land on a 16-year-old who ties their identity to minutes.

It’s about losing sleep over kids who won’t buy in.

Over conversations you need to have.

Over mistakes you replay in your head long after everyone else moved on.

It’s about being judged by people who see the outcome, not the process.

The scoreboard, not the hours.

The result, not the relationships.

And yet, you show up again.

You plan. You teach. You model. You care.

As the season slows and the holidays arrive, this is the reminder:

What you do matters.

Even when it goes unseen.
Even when it feels heavy.
Even when it’s hard.

Coaching is about influence. And influence lasts longer than any season.

That’s why coaching is harder than people think. And also why it matters so much.

As the year winds down, I hope you find a little rest, a little perspective, and a lot of pride in the work you’re doing.

🎄Happy Holidays, Coach.

[Matt Manley @Matt_Manley]

Headlines: Garry Linstra picks up 300th coaching win for Wall; Marlboro clips Manalapan in overtime for the 2nd time this year.

[Matt Manley @Matt_Manley]

Wall has already knocked off three teams that beat them during the regular season on the way to a shot at the CJ2 championship later today. To finish off an improbable championship run, the Crimson Knights will have to knock out the champs. https://t.co/2aClG32Zny

[Tufts University Men’s Basketball @TuftsMBB]

Last, but not least, for our incoming class is @GriffinLinstra from @SquanBoysBBall! Griffin is a savvy guard with an elite ability to create for others & himself. A gritty defender & tough rebounder, he also led his high school team to a state title in 2024-25. Welcome Griffin!

[Tufts University Men’s Basketball @TuftsMBB]

Freshmen have arrived for Camp Week! #RAC 🐘🟤🔵

[NJ Hoops @NJHoops]

6 foot 4 Manasquan senior Griffin Linstra has made his college pick. - https://t.co/eYDJXsuWtK

[Manasquan Athletics @SquanAthletics]

Today, we celebrated the commitment of Griffin Linstra to Tufts University, as he will be continuing his career with their Men's Basketball program next year. Go Jumbos!

[Manasquan School District @ManasquanBOE]

At last night's meeting, the Manasquan Board of Education was proud to recognize the MHS May Students of the Month. Congratulations to all on the recognition of your hard work!
Grade 09- Abigail Shaw
Grade 10- Aiden Gebhardt
Grade 11- Madison Carlile
Grade 12- Griffin Linstra

[David Resnick @dpresnick]

Sometimes the stories just write themselves. And even when you are there, it still seems hard to believe.

Manasquan earns redemption a year after experiencing heartbreak. And this time, @GriffinLinstra left no doubt.

The game-winner, as heard on the @HSSportsNJ broadcast.

[Joe Murphy @the_JEMurphy]

The Jumbos added a winner in the backcourt with Linstra. He won a pair of state titles at Manasquan, where he finished with over 1,300 points and 1,000 rebounds

[Griffin Linstra @GriffinLinstra]

Honored to be named to New Jersey’s Second Team All State, First Team All Group 2, and 1st Team All Shore

[Jersey Sports Zone @JSZ_Sports]

🏀JSZ All-Zone Boys Basketball Profile: Griffin Linstra, Manasquan🏀

The senior averaged 15 points, 9.9 rebounds, and had 14 double doubles. Linstra hit the game winning shot in the sate semi finals that sent Manasquan to the Group 2 State Championship where they would win it all.

Meet the rest of JSZ’s All-Zone Basketball Team: ⬇️

https://t.co/AYOdGcOfp0

@SquanAthletics | @SquanBoysBBall | @AndrewBilodea14

[Brian Petruzzelli @brianpetro4]

Incredible career that is far from over. Griffin is going to help a college program win A LOT of games. The ultimate winner, teammate and competitor. 🫡

@NJShoreshotBoys | @TheHoopGroup

[Griffin Linstra @GriffinLinstra]

Griffin Linstra Senior year highlights 2024-2025: https://t.co/g0dvURGbf4

[Shore Sports Insider @JSSInsider]

Shore Boys Basketball Coaches Association 2025 All-Shore and All-Division Teams
https://t.co/uBVuXTx5Kd

[Steve Edelson @steveedelsonapp]

Manasquan boys basketball completes storybook season, winning NJ state championship https://t.co/Iu235Dfri0 via @APPSportsDesk

[Steve Edelson @steveedelsonapp]

Manasquan boys basketball completes storybook season, winning NJ state championship https://t.co/Iu235DeTss via @asburyparkpress

[Mike Kinney @MikeKinneyHS]

With Linstra at the controls, No. 8 Manasquan tops Madison for Group 2 state crown https://t.co/K9Iguujgat
@SquanAthletics @ManasquanBOE @DodgerAthletics @DodgerAthletics

[Kevin Minnick 🏈🐶🏀🐶⚾️ @kminnicksports]

Final in Group 2 state championship

No. 8 Manasquan 67
Madison 56

@ManasquanBOE
@AndrewBilodea14
@GriffinLinstra
@DodgerAthletics

[Matt Manley @Matt_Manley]

Manasquan is the first school to win an overall state title in both girls and boys basketball in the same year since University of Newark in 2016.