Release courtesy of Coe College Sports Information
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Matt Travis has been selected as the next Coe College Head Men's Soccer Coach. Travis comes to Coe after a two-year stint as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at nationally-ranked Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts.
Travis helped lead the men's soccer program at Amherst to back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the round of 16 in both 2016 and 2017. In 2016, the Mammoths won the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) regular season and NESCAC Tournament Championship, finishing with a 17-1-2 record. The coaching staff garnered the New England Region Coaching Staff of the Year honors for their efforts in 2016.
The 2017 Amherst squad featured a starting line-up with five freshmen that finished the season with a 12-4-3 record. Amherst finished 10th in the United Soccer Coaches Association Top 25 Poll in both 2016 and 2017. At Amherst, Travis' responsibilities included recruiting, scouting, video analysis, team travel arrangements and assisting with on-field coaching.
"Matt is one of the rising stars in NCAA Division III men's soccer coaching," said Amherst Head Men's Soccer Coach Justin Serpone. "I couldn't be happier for him and I know he'll be successful at Coe. His work and care for Amherst soccer over the past two years have been invaluable, and he'll be greatly missed."
Travis is enthused to be joining the Kohawks in his first collegiate head coaching opportunity, and he sees tremendous potential in the program.
"I would like to thank Vice President Larry Lee and the members of the search committee for giving me this opportunity to lead the Kohawk men's soccer program as the next head men's soccer coach at Coe College," said Travis. "I am very eager to start recruiting players to Coe College. My goal is to challenge present and future players to be the best versions of themselves on and off the field at Coe. With the addition of the new athletic facilities, it is an exciting time to be at Coe College. I believe the men's soccer program has great potential to compete in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference."
Prior to coaching at Amherst, Travis served as the graduate assistant men's soccer coach at Montreat College in Montreat, North Carolina, for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. While at Montreat, he performed all the duties of a first assistant coach and was part of a staff that turned the soccer program around from a 6-11 record in 2014 to 8-7-2 in 2015. Travis also served as a state staff head coach for the Olympic Development Program in North Carolina.
"We are excited to have Matt as part of our athletic staff at Coe College. Following a national search, Matt's passion for the game, recruiting background, and experience coaching and recruiting at one the best men's soccer programs in NCAA Division III at Amherst were all key factors in his selection by the search committee," said Coe Director of Athletics and Recreation Sonny Travis.
In addition, the Chesapeake, Virginia native was a head club travel coach with Beach FC in Virginia Beach from 2012-2014. He also served as an assistant coach for boys' varsity soccer at Hickory High School in Chesapeake (2012) and Cox High School in Virginia Beach (2013).
Travis received a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education from Old Dominion in Norfolk, Virginia, and earned a Master of Arts in Leadership Management at Montreat College. Travis will start at Coe College on Jan. 1.
