May 19, 2008
WASHINGTON -
American University named Matt Corkery as its new head women's basketball coach, Director of Athletics and Recreation Keith Gill announced today. Corkery, who was the AU associate head coach last season, has been on the Eagles staff for four seasons.
"We are especially pleased to keep Matt in the American family and be able to give him the chance to lead our women's basketball program," Gill said. "He is a great teacher of the game and his passion for this team will translate into continued success for this program."
After being elevated from assistant coach and recruiting coordinator to associate head coach in 2007, Corkery assumed additional responsibilities on all levels, ranging from core coaching to office and administration management.
Corkery joined the Eagles in 2004 after spending three seasons as an associate head coach at NCAA Division II Emporia State (Kan.). During his tenure with the Hornets, Corkery helped guide the squad to a 63-25 (.716) record and No. 2 rankings nationally in both the 2001-02 and 2003-04 seasons.
A native of Whitharral, Texas, Corkery was also an assistant coach at Stephen F. Austin State from 1999-2001, during which time the Ladyjacks won consecutive Southland Conference titles and made consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
Corkery brings head coaching experience to the Eagles as well. From 1996 to 1999, he led Howard College (Texas) to three top-10 rankings in the National Junior College Athletic Association polls. In 1998, Corkery was named the NJCAA Region V Coach of the Year.
Corkery earned a bachelor's degree in education in 1993 and a master's of sports and exercise sciences in 1996 from West Texas A&M University. While with the Lady Buffs, Corkery worked his way up from student assistant coach to graduate assistant and eventually earned a full-time assistant coaching position. As an assistant, Corkery mentored a Buffs squad that went 28-3, won the Lone Star Conference title and was ranked as high as No. 4 in the NCAA Division II national rankings.
No stranger to success, the programs that Corkery has coached have compiled a 395-137 record and won eight conference championships. As a head coach Corkery has gone 90-12 with an .880 winning percentage.
"The women's basketball program at American University is building from a tremendous amount of momentum. I am honored to be the new head coach," Corkery commented. "I want to thank our players for their dedication and commitment to success -- things that, I believe, brought about this opportunity for me. I also want to thank Keith Gill, Athena Argyropoulos and the entire AU administration for their show of support. Our program will continue its quest to be an NCAA Tournament team."
