WILMINGTON, N.C. - Matt Clark, who has shaped Colonial Athletic Association rival Georgia State into a nationally-recognized program over the last five years, has been named UNC Wilmington’s 11th men’s golf coach.

            Clark, 32, was selected from a field of more than 60 candidates following a comprehensive national search and begins his new post later this month. He piloted the Panthers to five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances during his time in Atlanta, including Colonial Athletic Association championships in 2006 and 2008.

            “Matt is one of the nation’s brightest young coaches and we’re looking forward to having him join the Seahawk family,” said Kelly Mehrtens, UNCW athletic director. “His record speaks for itself. He has done a tremendous job at Georgia State, where he had outstanding support from his athletic administration. We’re very fortunate and extremely pleased to have him lead our men’s golf program.”

            A native of Prattville, Ala., Clark began his collegiate playing career at the University of South Florida before finishing up at the University of Alabama. He played two and a half seasons for the Crimson Tide and former coach Dick Spybey before joining the school’s coaching staff.

            Clark worked six years in Tuscaloosa and assisted with every phase of the Crimson Tide’s program, including recruiting, travel, instruction and fund raising. He served as tournament director of the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate and the Joe Namath Celebrity Golf Classic.

            The energetic Clark accepted his first head coaching post at Georgia State in 2003-04 and enjoyed instant success. The Panthers finished seventh at the NCAA East Regional and 11^th at the NCAA Championship, claiming a final ranking of 14^th in the Golfstat poll.

            In 2004-05, Clark was named Atlantic Sun Conference Coach-of-the-Year after leading the Panthers to a fourth place finish in the NCAA East Regional and a tie for 13^th at the NCAA Championship.

            Clark’s impressive run at GSU continued in 2005-06 as the Panthers made their debut in the CAA. He was selected CAA Coach-of-the-Year after State captured their first CAA golf title and advanced to the NCAA East Regionals.

            The Panthers advanced to the NCAA East Regionals once again in 2006-07 behind Third-Team All-American Joel Sjoholm. GSU wound up ninth in the regionals and 17^th overall at the NCAA Championship.

            Last year, the Panthers won their second CAA crown in three seasons behind Clark and Sjoholm. The Panthers finished 18^th in the NCAA East Regionals in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Sjoholm, two-time Player-of-the-Year in the CAA, qualified for the NCAA finals with a fourth place finish individually.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge,” said Clark, who has coached 12 All-Conference selections. “We have the opportunity to compete at the highest level nationally and we’re going to work hard to make that a reality.

“We have a strong nucleus returning, so we’ll have great leadership. I met with two of the seniors during my visit to campus and I think that with their leadership and maturity, we’re going to surprise a lot of people throughout the nation.

“The Wilmington area is a beautiful place. When you think of the surroundings, you think of golf. I accept the challenge of also making it known for a great collegiate golf team that the university and community will be proud to call its own.”

            Clark, an avid golfer with seven hole-in-ones to his credit, earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Alabama in 1997. He recently became engaged to Raleigh native Erica Wein.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT MATT CLARK:

“UNCW is going to fall in love with Matt. He brings class and a tremendous knowledge of golf to the program. Since he’s a former assistant of mine, I look forward to following the Seahawks and their progress in the years to come.”

Jay Seawell

Men’s Golf Coach

University of Alabama