Stockton coach Gerry Matthews - flying high under the radar
This is the Press Sunday story on Stockton coach Gerry Matthews leading into the MU-Stockton game
By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER
This is how Gerry Matthews had always hoped it might be, walking onto the floor at
Monmouth University coaching college basketball.
The difference is he won't be coaching Monmouth, the object of his affections when the then fledgling Division I job became vacant in 1987.
""I certainly was interested in it,'' said Matthews, the coach of Division III Richard Stockton College (5-3) which visits the Hawks (3-8) in Sunday's 1 p.m. exhibition game
at Boylan Gym.
The game marks the first for Stockton vs. a Division I program in Matthews 21 years as coach.
In 1987, already two years into what has become a highly successful run with the Ospreys Matthews, who had previously guided Long Branch and Rumson Fair-Haven Regional High Schools into NJSIAA prominence, yearned to take over in West Long Branch.
""But at the time they felt they needed, for credibility sake, someone who was already on the Division I level,'' said Matthews, a long time Brielle resident.
That someone turned out to be then Columbia University coach Wayne Szoke and both programs have since prospered.
Szoke put Monmouth on the Division I map and 10th year coach Dave Calloway, despite the Hawks' rough start this season, has maintained that status.
At Stockton Matthews, who has never had a losing season, is nine career wins shy of 400, and has led it to 10 NCAA Tournament berths including a trip to the Final Four in 1987. His .695 winning percentage ranks among the top 25 active Division III coaches.
Matthews also hoped he might have drawn some interest from Monmouth when the coaching positioned opened again, briefly, when Szoke stepped down in 1997-98.
Calloway, Szoke's first recruit out of high school and then an assistant coach, got the call.
""I think I was more interested back in '87,'' Matthews said. ""After that you move on and deal with what you have and not what might have been.''
Both Monmouth and Stockton would have preferred a
pre-season game as opposed to playing Sunday. But Monmouth's early start to the regular season precluded that after
which Calloway felt a game during Christmas break would benefit the Hawks by breaking up their long holiday playoff.
Matthews was just happy to play any time, though due to Division III rules, Stockton was unable to formally practice last week while Monmouth had no such restrictions.
And, while the outcome will never be officially be logged in the Monmouth win-loss column Matthews said it will count on Stockton's record, again via Division III rules.
""I took the game with the hope we can move it to the preseason and go from there,'' said Matthews.
""The other part is to let the kids play better people and see where they're at. I think our kids are a little more psyched up for the game than Monmouth's kids, at least
I think they are. I have to hope his kids are flatter than hell.''
Kevin Brown, a Stockton freshman guard from Neptune, said the game with Monmouth is comparable to how Monmouth views its games with the Seton Hall and Clemson types.
""It's a big deal,'' said Brown. ""Everyone's excited and juiced up. Everyone is talking about how the team is looking going into the Monmouth game, and "are we ready?"
""As a school we should be very confident, if we go out there and play our game we feel there's not too many teams that can play with us.''
For Matthews today will mark a brief view into Division I. Than it's back to Division III with its lesser scope but also less pressure.
""I've been able to have the best of both worlds,'' said Matthews, a full time coach since retiring as a high school teacher in 2000.
""I've been coaching basketball,'' said Matthews who turned 65 in October. ""I did 35 years as a teacher and have a pension and health benefits and my family has had stability.""
Matthews also directs the Shore Conference boy's and girl's basketball tournaments.
His future at Stockton? ""I have a contract which runs through next year,'' he said. ""After that I have to see where I am health wise and with everything else.''
As for today, whether Matthews is coaching Division III or Division I, some things never change.
""It's a game,'' said Matthews. ""You play to win.''
e-mail tonygsports@aol.com
By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER
This is how Gerry Matthews had always hoped it might be, walking onto the floor at
Monmouth University coaching college basketball.
The difference is he won't be coaching Monmouth, the object of his affections when the then fledgling Division I job became vacant in 1987.
""I certainly was interested in it,'' said Matthews, the coach of Division III Richard Stockton College (5-3) which visits the Hawks (3-8) in Sunday's 1 p.m. exhibition game
at Boylan Gym.
The game marks the first for Stockton vs. a Division I program in Matthews 21 years as coach.
In 1987, already two years into what has become a highly successful run with the Ospreys Matthews, who had previously guided Long Branch and Rumson Fair-Haven Regional High Schools into NJSIAA prominence, yearned to take over in West Long Branch.
""But at the time they felt they needed, for credibility sake, someone who was already on the Division I level,'' said Matthews, a long time Brielle resident.
That someone turned out to be then Columbia University coach Wayne Szoke and both programs have since prospered.
Szoke put Monmouth on the Division I map and 10th year coach Dave Calloway, despite the Hawks' rough start this season, has maintained that status.
At Stockton Matthews, who has never had a losing season, is nine career wins shy of 400, and has led it to 10 NCAA Tournament berths including a trip to the Final Four in 1987. His .695 winning percentage ranks among the top 25 active Division III coaches.
Matthews also hoped he might have drawn some interest from Monmouth when the coaching positioned opened again, briefly, when Szoke stepped down in 1997-98.
Calloway, Szoke's first recruit out of high school and then an assistant coach, got the call.
""I think I was more interested back in '87,'' Matthews said. ""After that you move on and deal with what you have and not what might have been.''
Both Monmouth and Stockton would have preferred a
pre-season game as opposed to playing Sunday. But Monmouth's early start to the regular season precluded that after
which Calloway felt a game during Christmas break would benefit the Hawks by breaking up their long holiday playoff.
Matthews was just happy to play any time, though due to Division III rules, Stockton was unable to formally practice last week while Monmouth had no such restrictions.
And, while the outcome will never be officially be logged in the Monmouth win-loss column Matthews said it will count on Stockton's record, again via Division III rules.
""I took the game with the hope we can move it to the preseason and go from there,'' said Matthews.
""The other part is to let the kids play better people and see where they're at. I think our kids are a little more psyched up for the game than Monmouth's kids, at least
I think they are. I have to hope his kids are flatter than hell.''
Kevin Brown, a Stockton freshman guard from Neptune, said the game with Monmouth is comparable to how Monmouth views its games with the Seton Hall and Clemson types.
""It's a big deal,'' said Brown. ""Everyone's excited and juiced up. Everyone is talking about how the team is looking going into the Monmouth game, and "are we ready?"
""As a school we should be very confident, if we go out there and play our game we feel there's not too many teams that can play with us.''
For Matthews today will mark a brief view into Division I. Than it's back to Division III with its lesser scope but also less pressure.
""I've been able to have the best of both worlds,'' said Matthews, a full time coach since retiring as a high school teacher in 2000.
""I've been coaching basketball,'' said Matthews who turned 65 in October. ""I did 35 years as a teacher and have a pension and health benefits and my family has had stability.""
Matthews also directs the Shore Conference boy's and girl's basketball tournaments.
His future at Stockton? ""I have a contract which runs through next year,'' he said. ""After that I have to see where I am health wise and with everything else.''
As for today, whether Matthews is coaching Division III or Division I, some things never change.
""It's a game,'' said Matthews. ""You play to win.''
e-mail tonygsports@aol.com
posted by Tony Graham at 7:08 PM
6 Comments:
Quiz: The star player who led the Long Branch High School basketball team under Matthews to an unbeaten season in the late 1970's was:
a) Ray Lena
b) Alex Bradley
c) Sam Mills
d) Tim Perry
Alex Bradley a great player
Gee..not Ray Lena?
I understand this is only an exhibition game, but why is this not on the radio live? It's not like a televised broadcast, no one wants to hear a tape delay of a radio broadcast. This is just another example of Monmouth not doing the little things that are required to take that next step. A team who wins their conference 3 times in 6 seasons should have their games broadcast live on the radio, nevermind a new arena.
Who else was considered for the MU job when Szoke resigned? Was Dave the first choice? Give us some inside scoops Tony.
Re: Radio. Apparently they had some sort of prior program obligations. It was only an exhibiton game. I wouldn't be too hard on them.
But to talk to the faculty advisor for WMCX: call 732-263-5254 or e-mail urgaso@monmouth.edu.
When Szoke resigned Dave was the ONLY candidate considered. Krayl could have had the job if he wanted it but, in part due to his teaching job in Point Pleasant with his pension, etc., preferred to remain as an assistant.
I think AD Marilyn McNeil was a little nervous, this is only my opinion, about opening the job up to "outside" candidates as she felt most comfortable with Dave. Also the fact that Krayl was going to stay on with a then very young Dave Calloway helped her decide in Dave's behalf.
If you want to go back to '87, though a number of D1 assistants , and even then SFNY head coach Bob Valvano were very interested, Szoke has the inside track all along with the decision makers of the time.
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