NJ.com has reported that Stockton University head coach Gerry Matthews, the winningest coach in New Jersey college basketball history, will retire effective immediately. The 74-year old Matthews will wrap up his career with a 603-243 record. His Stockton teams have never had a losing season. Matthews ranks among the top 15 active Division III coaches in winning percentage (.713) and victories. He has led Stockton to 16 NCAA Tournament berths, two Final Four appearances, and 18 20-win seasons, including the last five years. Matthews has won NJAC championships in four different decades (1980’s, 1990’s, 2000’s, 2010’s) for a total of nine league titles. In addition, his teams have played in the NJAC championship game 16 times in 30 seasons.

Matthews will be replaced on an interim basis by Associate head coach Scott Bittner. A former DII All-American as a player at Wheeling Jesuit University, Bittner has been on Matthews staff at Stockton for the past 11-seasons.

More on this once it becomes official.