PERSONAL
Hometown: Willowick, Ohio
Education: Bachelors in History and Political Science (Notre Dame College, 2013); Juris Doctor (Vermont Law School)
COACHING EXPERIENCE
St. Thomas University (FL) - Men's/Women Head Coach (2020-Present)
Norwich University (VT) - Men's Head Coach (2018-19)
Thomas More University (KY) - Assistant Coach (2016)
Our Court in White River Junction, VT - Head Tennis Pro (2013-15)
BIOGRAPHY
Matt Roche enters his third season at the helm of the St. Thomas Tennis programs. In his first two seasons, Coach Roche has led both programs to the NAIA National Tournament and has constantly had teams in the national rankings. In year one, the Men's Tennis program made their way to the NAIA National Tournament for the first time in 10 years. In year two, the Women's Tennis program made their debut at the NAIA National Tournament since the change of the national format in 2000.
On the conference level, the women's team made back-to-back appearances at The Sun Conference Championship tournament, making the jump from the fourth seed in 2021 to third in a much tougher race in 2022. The men's team finished as the regular season runner-up in 2021.
Roche comes to STU with an extensive coaching career in tennis. He coached for six years at Ace Tennis in Highland Heights, Ohio. Then served as the inaugural tennis director for the non-profit Inner City Tennis Clinics in downtown Cleveland for two years.
Matt served as the head tennis pro at Our Court tennis club in White River Junction, VT from 2013-2015 while attending law school. He also had a one-year stint as the Assistant Coach at Thomas More University in northern Kentucky. Most recently he served as the head coach at Norwich University in Vermont. During his two-year stint, the team increased their match play to the NCAA maximum, added in spring break trips, and implemented a strength training program. During his final season, the tennis team earned the university’s volunteer team of the year award from the Center for Civic Engagement.
Matt also had a successful playing career, while playing number 1 singles for Notre Dame College. He has finished as the state runner up in USTA doubles for the state of Vermont.
YEAR-BY-YEAR (Men's Program)
| Year |
Overall |
Win Pct. |
Conference |
Win Pct. |
Post-Season |
| 2020-21 |
11 - 5 |
.688 |
6 - 1 |
.857 |
SUN Regular Season Runner-Up, SUN /NAIA Tournament Appearances, Ranked #21 |
| 2021-22 |
14 - 9 |
.609 |
2 - 4 |
.333 |
Ranked #23 |
| 2 Seasons |
25 - 14 |
.641 |
8 - 5 |
.615 |
|
YEAR-BY-YEAR (Women's Program)
| Year |
Overall |
Win Pct. |
Conference |
Win Pct. |
Post-Season |
| 2020-21 |
7 - 8 |
.688 |
3 - 3 |
.500 |
Fourth-Seed SUN Tournament Appearance, (RV) |
| 2021-22 |
13 - 12 |
.520 |
3 - 3 |
.500 |
Third-Seed SUN Tournament Appearance, NAIA National Tournament Sweet-16 Finish, Ranked #15 |
| 2 Seasons |
20 - 20 |
.500 |
6 - 6 |
.500 |
|
