During his first two seasons at Sam Houston State, Trent Grona has
coached an NCAA Division I football championship subdivision
All-America kick return specialist (Derrick Harris), two All-Southland
Conference safeties (Robert Herron in 2005 and Chadd Oliphant in 2006)
and four All-Southland Conference special team players (Harris, punter
Chris Parks, kicker Lance Garner, and return specialist Stevie Smith).
In his first season at Sam Houston State in 2005, Bearkat special teams
ranked number one in the league in kickoff coverage, allowing only 14.9
yards per return, and number three in punting. Last year, the Bearkats
led the Southland in punt returns and ranked second in the nation with
an average of 19.8 yards per return. Sam Houston ranked third in the
league in kickoff returns..
Grona came to Sam Houston State from Tarleton State with head coach Todd Whitten.
In his two seasons with the Texans, Grona helped direct Tarleton State
to an overall record of 15-6 that included a Lone Star Conference North
Division title in 2003. He coached the defensive line, tutoring three
players who earned All-Lone Star Conference honors in 2004 and two who
were All-LSC selections in 2003.
In 2001 and 2002, Grona coached the defensive backs at Conroe High
School. He was a graduate assistant at Tarleton State in 2000.
Grona was a three-year football letterman at Tarleton State. He earned
first team All-Lone Star Conference honors and NCAA Division II second
team All-Region recognition as a defensive back. He twice was named to
the Academic All-Lone Star Conference honor squad and was a GTE
Academic All-Region selection.
A student leader as well, he served as a member of the Student Athlete
Advisory Council, Alpha Chi Honors Fraternity, and Phi Epsilon Kappa
Physical Education Fraternity and was president of the Athletes
Committed to Excellence Club. Grona received his Bachelor’s degree from
Tarleton State in exercise and sports studies in 2000. He earned his
Master’s degree from Tarleton in physical education in 2001. He is a
graduate of Fredericksburg High School.
Grona and his wife, Kathryn, have a daughter, Finley.
