One of the most decorated coaches in Henderson State history, Coak Matthews enters his first year as the Director of Aquatics and Operations in 2021-22. Matthews is in his 40th overall year at the university after serving as the head coach of the men's and women's diving programs from 1983-2021.
Matthews, a 1995 inductee into the Arkansas Swimming Hall of Fame and a 2003 inductee into the Reddie Hall of Honor, won 24 conference championships during his illustrious coaching career. A Master Coach by the College Swimming Coaches Association and a level 5 coach (highest level possible) in the category of the NCAA II by the American Swimming Coaches Association, he was named national diving coach of the year in 1990, national swimming coach of the year in 1994 and conference swimming coach of the year 15 times.
During his collegiate coaching career, he coached four national champions and over 200 All Americans while both the men and women finished in the Top-10 nationally in the NAIA as well as the NCAA II, numerous times. Matthews retired after 39 years as head coach of the Red Wave in April of 2021.
Matthews also sponsored the swim team at Arkadelphia High School from 1983 until 2003. He coached the Lady Badgers to two state championships and eighteen of his swimmers and divers at AHS have been named all-state.
Matthews graduated from Memorial High School in Houston, Texas, in 1973. He went on to attend the University of Arkansas, where he swam for the Razorbacks all 4 years and was an SWC finalist on several relay teams.
Matthews earned his B.S.B.A degree in finance and banking from the University of Arkansas in 1977.
After serving as the head coach for the Houston Swim Club in 1978 and the head coach for the Quail Valley Aquatic Club in Houston from 1979-82, Matthews came to Henderson State.
Matthews and his wife, Mary, are parents of triplets Sallie, Blanton and William.
