Matt Fiordirosa

He can teach you complicated wrestling moves or how to save a life in the pool, and he just happens to be nicknamed Sunshine.

The beloved Mr. Matt Fiordirosa has been the head varsity wrestling coach since 2011, after serving as an assistant coach at Grant High School for two years. Sophomore Mariella Haubner says his nickname is well-deserved and credits him for “never [being] in a bad mood.”

“He’s super understanding,“ she said. “He’s always super happy, and he always has a smile on his face.”

Prior to COVID, he made lifeguarding class fun both in and out of the water, and his online adaptations fall nothing short of that. Those who have him as a coach say they owe their success to his encouragement both on and off the mat. 

“Sunshine’s energy on a daily basis is unbeatable,” said senior Richie Hoskins, who had Fiordirosa his sophomore year. “I mean, who doesn’t want some joy brought to them during the school day?”

Hoskins bonded with Fiordirosa over their love of rival SEC schools. “He is a diehard Florida Gators fan and I am a diehard LSU Tigers fan, so we joke about each other’s teams.” 

“He’s probably not too happy that the Tigers beat the Gators in football this year,” said Hoskins.

“One of my favorite memories from lifeguarding was when we were standing at the side of the pool, and he ran off the diving board, cannonballing into the pool and soaking all of us,” said Lauren Fabbri. “Following that, he told all of us we wouldn’t be allowed to leave the pool without jumping off the diving board.” 

If you haven’t formally met Sunshine, try to take either lifeguarding or another class he teaches. You won’t regret it.

 “Sunshine is one of the funniest and most kindhearted teachers I know,” Fabbri said.