Thursday, May 29, 2003

Valparaiso University men's basketball head coach Scott Drew announced the addition of Matthew Driscoll as an assistant coach. Driscoll will officially begin his duties on June 30. He fills the vacancy left by Mike Heideman, who accepted an assistant coaching position at Washington State.

Driscoll arrives at Valpo from Clemson University, where he served as an assistant men's basketball coach since 1998. While assisting former head coach Larry Shyatt, Driscoll helped Clemson to the NIT Championship Game in 1999. During the 1998-99 campaign, the Tigers won 20 games, including four in the NIT, before losing to California by one point in the championship on the final possession. Driscoll also played a part in Clemson's three victories over North Carolina over the last five years, including an upset over the #1-ranked Tar Heels. Last season, the Tigers compiled a 15-13 record.

"The Valpo basketball program is very fortunate to welcome a person with the qualifications and work ethic that Coach Driscoll brings to a staff year-in-and-year-out," Drew said. "He's coached against and worked with some of the top athletes in the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference).

"We know that Matt can help us achieve some of the team goals that we've set for the future."

Prior to his stint at Clemson, Driscoll was an assistant coach for Shyatt at the University of Wyoming during the 1997-98 season. The Cowboys recorded a 19-9 mark and earned a berth in the NIT that season. Wyoming won two games against top 10 teams that year, including an upset of national finalist Utah.

Driscoll also has head coaching experience, guiding LaRoche College in Pittsburgh, Penn. from 1993-97. Prior to becoming the head coach at LaRoche, he served as a volunteer assistant at Slippery Rock University. He also was an assistant coach at Seneca Valley High School in Zelienople, Penn. from 1991-93, an assistant coach at Butler (Penn.) County Community College from 1990-91 and a head boys basketball coach at Northgate High School in Pittsburgh from 1988-90.

Currently the President of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Assistant Coaches Board of Directors, Driscoll has been active in the organization since 1998.

Driscoll graduated from Slippery Rock in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education and has earned a certification in elementary education.