Matt Hardy returns to Western Texas College (WTC) for his first season as Head Men’s Basketball Coach. During the 2019-2020 season, he was Kyle Cooper’s Assistant Coach.
“I am thrilled to take over as the Head Coach of the Men’s Basketball program here at WTC,” said Hardy. “My primary focus is to produce high-achieving student-athletes, both on and off the floor.”
“Matt Hardy brings with him several years of successful junior college experience,” said Tammy Davis, WTC’s Athletic Director. “We are excited to have him lead our men’s basketball program.”
In the 2019-2020 season, Hardy assisted with leading the Westerners to a 23-11 record and to the semifinals of the Region V tournament. The twenty-three wins tied for the most wins at WTC since 1984. The team ranked nationally for the first time since 2011, appearing in the national polls for five consecutive weeks during that season, reaching No.11 at their peak. At the Region V tournament, the Westerners upset the No. 3 ranked team in the country to advance. Six players received WJCAC All-Conference honors, and four players won WJCAC player of the week. Eleven players signed to play at four-year universities.
Before WTC, Hardy coached at D’Iberville High School in Biloxi, Mississippi, under former University of Mississippi Head Women’s Coach Renee Ladner. The Warriors finished 16-9 and advanced to the MSHAA 6A State Tournament.
Previously, Hardy was the assistant coach at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (NJCAA D1) from 2013 until 2018. During his tenure, the Bulldogs were 87-41 and made the MACJC playoffs every season, extending the MACJC record to twenty-one seasons in a row. Hardy helped lead Gulf Coast to three MACJC Final Fours and one Region 23 Final Four. The Bulldogs sent twenty-eight players to four-year institutions during Hardy’s time in Perkinston and notched eight NJCAA All-Region twenty-three performers. Davion Cole-Johnson was awarded NJCAA National Player of the Week in January of 2017. The Bulldogs ranked No.17 in the NJCAA poll during the 2015-2016 season. In his five-year tenure, the Bulldog Basketball Program had a 97% graduation rate.
“His vision for the program includes strength and success for each of the young men he has the opportunity to work with academically, athletically, and personally,” noted Davis.
Prior to Gulf Coast, Hardy was a Staff Sergeant in the Active Duty Air Force as a Network Infrastructure Supervisor. He served from May 2005 to June 2013. Hardy earned the Air Force Commendation Medal for his tour in South Korea. The Air Force also stationed him in Missouri, Guam, Italy, and Mississippi.
Hardy graduated from West Plains High School in West Plains, Missouri, in 2005. He holds a Master of Education in Athletic Administration and a Bachelor’s of Science in Physical Education with a minor in Secondary Education, both from William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
“Matt and his family will be great additions to the WTC and Snyder communities,” added Davis.
https://wtcathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2021-22/releases/hardyreturns
