TRENTON, Mo. (NCMCPirates.com) – North Central Missouri College has announced the hiring of Hank Mathews as its new Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach.
Mathews arrives to NCMC after one year as an assistant coach at Lincoln College in Lincoln, IL. While at Lincoln, he helped guide the Lynx to a Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) tournament runner up finish and picked up a pair of wins against nationally ranked opponents. Additionally, he was responsible for assisting in all day to day operations of the program including recruiting and player development.
Prior to Lincoln College, Coach Mathews was a Graduate Assistant at Columbia College assisting in all aspects of the program while obtaining his Master’s Degree in Education. With Mathews assistance, the Cougars amassed a 37-19 record in his two years on staff. He also helped recruit and coach 7 All-AMC Performers, the 2020-2021 AMC Newcomer & Player of the Year as well as the 2020-2021 AMC Freshman of the Year. Mathews played a pivotal role in academics where the cougars earned the NABC Team Academic Excellence Award in 2019-2020 for their efforts in the classroom, as well as placing 12 players on the 2020-2021 Academic All-Conference team.
A native of Peoria, IL, Mathews graduated from Columbia College with a B.A. in American Studies while completing a successful two-year playing career on the basketball team. He transferred to Columbia after a season at Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel, IL, and made an immediate impact for the Cougars as a member of the 2016-17 and 2017-18 AMC regular season championships. The Cougars qualified for the National Tournament both seasons that Coach Mathews played, earning their way into the quarterfinals in 2016-17. During his senior season, Mathews received recognition from the athletic department as a P.A.W. (Passion, Attitude and Work Ethic) Award winner.
“I am extremely excited to join the North Central Missouri College Athletic Department and its Men’s Basketball Program. I am grateful for the opportunity that Coach Esry has given me to join his staff and I’m ready to help continue the great tradition of this basketball program!”
Coach Esry had this to say about the hiring of Mathews. “Hank brings a great passion for the game of basketball and helping young athletes achieve their goals. He is a proven winner, both as a collegiate player and coach, who understands what it takes to be successful at this level. We are excited to add Hank to our program and know that our campus and community will embrace and appreciate his energy and hard-working mindset.”
Photo credit – NCMC Athletics / Trenton, MO / NCMCPirates.com
