UW-Stevens Point Athletics has named Matt Hockett the head women’s basketball coach, just the sixth head coach in the 50 years of the program history. Hockett replaces legendary coach Shirley Egner, who retired after guiding the program the last 33 years.
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“Ever since I picked up a basketball, I knew that was the sport for me,” said Hockett, “and I couldn’t be more thankful to get back on the hardwood at UWSP. The opportunity to take over for a living legend (Coach Egner) is one I don’t take lightly, and we will make it our mission to carry on the culture and proud tradition of Pointer women’s basketball – striving for excellence in the classroom, competition, and community. With a strong group of returning players, and some of the best facilities in NCAA Division III women’s basketball, the future of our program is nothing but bright. We can’t wait to get to work!”
Hockett is no stranger to UWSP as he has been with the Pointers since 2018 and served in a variety of roles. He arrived at UWSP in 2018 and spent three years as an assistant coach for the men’s basketball program. The Pointers made the 2018-19 WIAC Tournament title game and were ranked as high as No. 18 in 2019-20 with Hockett on staff. He coached 10 All-WIAC players and a WIAC All-Defensive Team pick and the team earned three NABC Team Academic Excellence Awards during his time.
In 2020, Hockett transitioned to the UWSP women’s tennis program and guided the Pointers to a record-setting campaign in 2021-22. UWSP went 30-9 in his two seasons at the helm and he was named the WIAC Co-Coach of the Year. His team reached the WIAC Final 4 Team Tournament for the first time since 2009-10 and his players garnered WIAC Athlete of the Week honors eight times in two seasons.
“It’s impossible to replace a legend like Coach Egner and this hiring process was not about that,” stated UWSP Director of Athletics Brad Duckworth. “Shirley will always have an irreplaceable place in Pointer history. I asked the search committee to find the right fit; I wanted someone with relentless passion for student-athlete success, tremendous work ethic, a great community person, and a smart basketball mind. I think the committee nailed it. Matt is a winner and has won everywhere and at everything he has done. I am extremely confident he will do that with the Pointer women’s basketball program.”
Prior to coming to UWSP, Hockett spent three years as an assistant coach at Division II Minnesota Duluth as a men’s basketball assistant. There he helped the Bulldogs post the first back-to-back winning seasons in nearly a decade upon his arrival. With UMD, he coached four All-NSIC players and was responsible for recruiting the 2019-20 NSIC Player of the Year. The team also earned the NABC Team Academic Excellence Award in all three seasons he was there.
Hockett’s head coaching experience began at Stoughton High School where he led the boys basketball team for six seasons. There, he won the Badger South Conference four straight years and made the sectional final three times. His team made a trip to the WIAA State Tournament in 2013, the first time in 74 years. In his six seasons, he racked up more than 100 wins.
He spent the 2008-09 season as an assistant coach for the girls team at SHS, his first official coaching position in basketball.
Hockett played basketball collegiately at UMD for five seasons. He was a team captain and a four-time letterwinner, twice earning the team’s most improved player award. In high school, he was the all-time leading scorer in McFarland High history with 1,596 points. He earned second-team AP All-State honors as a senior.
“We had a deep pool of candidates and Matt really impressed everyone with his blueprint for continued success,” said Duckworth. “We have had one of the best programs in the country for a long time and I expect we will stay there. Matt is a family man committed to building culture of competitive excellence, academic exploration and community service. He is certainly someone that will earn the respect of our players, alumni, and fan base.”
A McFarland, Wis., native, Hockett has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth. He and his wife, Ann, have two children, Braxton and Braelynn.
