Jack Matney joined the Pensacola Christian College men's basketball staff as an assistant coach after previously serving in collegiate and player-development roles at both the college and camp levels. He grew up in Bristol, Connecticut, where he attended Central Christian Academy and developed a lifelong love for the game as the son of a high school coach. He later attended Pensacola Christian College, competing for the Eagles and eventually serving as a team captain.
After his playing career at PCC, Jack Matney began his coaching journey at Olivet Nazarene University, working with the women’s basketball program while completing his graduate studies. During his time there, he gained experience in scouting, player development, practice planning, and recruiting, contributing to a highly competitive winning program. He also expanded his impact in the grassroots space through his work with PGC Basketball and other camp organizations, teaching and mentoring athletes from across the country.
Matney first felt called into coaching because of the influence his own coaches had on his life and the unique opportunity to invest in players on a daily basis. “There is a profound opportunity to connect and develop people through sports, and I believe basketball is uniquely capable of teaching many of those lessons,” he explains. Returning to PCC allows him to invest in student-athletes who are walking the same halls and wearing the same jersey he once did.
Coach Matney’s philosophy is to use the competitive nature of basketball to help his players grow spiritually, personally, and competitively. He emphasizes four core values within the program: unselfish joy in the success of others, relentless competitive effort, consistent communication, and the mindset of expecting to do more than your share. On the court, he wants his teams to play hard, play smart, and play together, while creating an environment where players feel safe to work through mistakes, embrace adversity, and compete for one another.
As a high school player, Matney was a four-year varsity starter, a 1,000-point scorer, team captain, and a league champion. Those experiences, along with the injuries and challenges he faced as a college player, shaped his belief that a person’s identity cannot be found solely in sports or performance. He now strives to help his players anchor their identity in Christ and in things that have eternal value, not just in wins, losses, or statistics.
Matney is grateful for the opportunity to serve at his alma mater and to partner with the Eagles coaching staff in building a Christ-centered, competitive basketball program. His life verses, Matthew 6:33–34, reflect his desire to seek God first and trust Him with the future. Away from the court, he enjoys investing in player development at camps, learning from other coaches, and spending time with family and friends.
