Matt Hill (Photo/Sam Janicki)EDINBORO, Pa. -- Edinboro University Interim Director of Athletics Dr. Katherine Robbins today announced the hiring of former Fighting Scot Matt Hill as Edinboro's 12th head coach of the wrestling program, and fourth on the Division I level.
"Edinboro has a great tradition of wrestling coaches, including Fred Caro, Mike DeAnna, Bruce Baumgartner, and Tim Flynn," commented Robbins. "Our goal was to bring in the best coach we could to continue the success we have enjoyed as a small Division I program competing against the very best at that level. Matt Hill left no doubt with our search committee that he possesses the ability to keep the Fighting Scots a name to be reckoned with."
Hill is no stranger to the Edinboro wrestling program. He competed for former head coach Tim Flynn from 2002-07, then entered the coaching profession. He served as a graduate assistant coach at Kent State from 2007-09.
Following his two seasons as a graduate assistant, Hill remained involved in wrestling over the next year, working with Seneca Valley High School.
Hill returned to Kent State as an assistant coach in 2010, and served in that capacity until 2015, when he was appointed associate head coach to head coach Jim Andrassy. During Hill's tenure at KSU as a graduate assistant and full-time assistant, the Golden Flashes went 116-78 in dual meets while enjoying several of the best seasons in program history. The 2015-16 KSU squad finished at 15-3 and was 16th at the NCAA national Championships, while the Golden Flashes were 14-5 in 2011-12 and 14-6 in 2010-11.
"I recognize that the next head coach at Edinboro arrives with enormous shoes to fill," related Hill, "but fully believe I am up to the task. They say no great leader has accomplished anything without a plan and I am no different. I have developed a blueprint and vision of what I believe it takes to be a successful program and to ensure that Edinboro Wrestling gets to the next level.
"I respect Coach Flynn and what he has done at the University for the last two decades and look to continue to build off the foundation he laid. Whether it be on the mat, in the classroom, at our camps, recruiting, fundraising, or promoting the program, we will strive for continuous improvement and excellence in all we do.
"Lastly, I want to thank the Kent State University Athletic Department and head coach Jim Andrassy for giving me the opportunity to pursue my ultimate goal of being a head coach one day. "
During Hill's 11 seasons at Kent State, the Golden Flashes enjoyed five top 25 finishes at the NCAA Division I National Championships. He was part of a program that produced 12 All-Americans, including national champion Dustin Kilgore. Hill worked closely with Kilgore when he won the title at 197 lbs. in 2011. Kent State has had 50 national qualifiers while competing in the Mid-American Conference.
In addition, Hill assisted in the development of three University National Champions and four Junior FILA National Freestyle All-Americans.
"Matt takes the approach that it's all about hard work," noted Andrassy. "His philosophy is to get guys to work harder than ever before to improve."
Kent State has also ranked among the top wrestling programs in the classrooms during Hill's tenure. In 2018, KSU was second in the NWCA All-Academic Team rankings, after finishing fourth in 2017, fifth in 2016, and 12th in 2015.
"I have dedicated my entire life to the sport of wrestling; from the youth program, to high school, to college, to coaching," Hill stressed. "Throughout all those years I have gathered the necessary experience and knowledge to become a head wrestling coach at the Division I level. I cannot think of any other job that I would want in the entire country than that of the head wrestling coach at my alma mater."
Hill was a three-time national qualifier at Edinboro. He remains among the leading wrestlers all-time at Edinboro with a 105-42 career record, including a 32-7 record as a senior. In 2006-07 as a senior, he went 17-1 in dual meets while competing at 157 lbs. Hill was seeded 12th at nationals and posted a 2-2 record.
Hill finished with a 30-5 record as a sophomore in his first year in the starting lineup in 2004-05, and followed that up with a 25-10 ledger in 2005-06. He finished second all three years at the PSAC Championships, and came in third at the EWL Championships as a sophomore and fourth as a junior and senior.
Hill is married to the former Stephanie Novak. The couple has two sons, Lincoln (3) and Knox (1).
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