Chris Popp, head coach of the Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Basketball team, announced the addition of Matt Dillard to his coaching staff as a volunteer assistant coach.
The Dacula, Georgia, native comes to the Grizzlies after spending the past four years with the Seminole State College Trojans in Seminole, Oklahoma, as the top assistant basketball coach, women’s soccer coach and the head strength and conditioning coach. In his four years at SCC, the Trojans sent 14 players to NCAA Division I schools, eight players to NCAA Division II programs, 11 players to NAIA colleges and two players to the professional ranks.
Last season, the Trojans finished with a 19-13 record and reached the NJCAA region tournament for the third consecutive year. Five players from that team signed scholarships to play for other programs – three at NCAA Division I schools and two at NAIA programs.
“Coming from a well-respected Seminole State program, Coach Dillard brings a great deal of junior college experience that has already proven valuable,” Popp said. “He is a high character individual and a tireless worker.”
During the 2011-2012 season, Dillard was part of the basketball and baseball coaching staffs at Western Oklahoma State College in Altus and helped guide the Pioneer baseball team to the NJCAA World Series for the fourth consecutive year. The Pioneers finished first in the regular season and had six players earn All-Region honors. In addition, five players were picked up by professional baseball teams. The Pioneer basketball team finished with a 20-11 record and earned a trip to the NJCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament.
In 2010-2011, Dillard was on the coaching staff at Bishop McGuiness High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he helped guide the team to its eighth consecutive state championship. He also played a significant role in the development of all-state honorees Matt Christensen and Joe Edmonds, both of whom signed with the University of San Francisco, an NCAA Division I program. During their senior seasons, Christensen and Edmonds posted career highs in field goal percentage, points and rebounding.
“Coaching is an opportunity to impact student-athletes’ lives in a positive way,” Dillard said. “I am honored to join the Missouri State-West Plains basketball program, and I am excited for the opportunity to contribute to a program that excels academically, athletically and in providing an exceptional experience for student-athletes.”
Dillard is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). This fall he begins his eighth year as a strength and conditioning coach. He is known for developing college players and being able to turn programs into championship contenders through discipline and a blue-collar-style work ethic.
During the summer, Dillard volunteers his talents with the football team at Georgia Tech University in Atlanta. He also is a Krav Maga instructor for self-defense and military hand-to-hand combat at the Krav Pro training center in Duluth, Georgia.
“As a certified strength coach, Dillard will be key as we develop our players physically in preparation for the next step,” Popp said.
“I am beyond excited and very grateful for the opportunity to join Coach Popp’s staff here at Missouri State-West Plains,” Dillard said. “Coach Popp’s passion and vision for Grizzly Basketball is very evident, and I cannot wait to begin this journey with him and the rest of the coaching staff.”
