UPEI Men’s Basketball head coach resigns

Citing personal reasons, Matthew Davies announced at a recent team meeting that he would be stepping down as head coach of the UPEI Men's Basketball Panthers. Davies had completed his fifth season with the program.

UPEI Director of Athletics Ron Annear said, 'Matt has made a life change decision to pursue other interests. Certainly it was a tough decision for Matt to make, but one that I respect. Matt has accomplished great things with Men's Basketball and leaves our program in very good shape. I thank Matthew for all his time and efforts and wish him the very best.'

'I appreciate the opportunity the university provided me to coach the UPEI Men's Basketball team over the past five years,' said Matthew Davies. 'The dedication that the student-athletes showed toward improving their academics, giving back to the community, and striving for excellence on the basketball court made the job an enjoyable one. However, at this stage of my life I felt that I needed to explore new challenges. I wish the best to the department, the student-athletes, and the alumni, and believe that the program has established the basis for future success.'

During his tenure with the Panthers, Davies graduated nine student-athletes and developed an academic guidance program that has helped student-athletes garner eight CIS Academic All-Canadian honours. Over the past five seasons, the Panthers have qualified for the AUS playoffs four times, and student-athletes have been awarded AUS 1st Team All-Star (once), AUS 2nd Team All-Star (six times), and AUS All-Rookie Team (four times).
Prior to UPEI, Matthew was the lead assistant coach with the McGill University Men's Basketball program from 2002-2006. He was also an apprentice assistant coach with the St. Francis Xavier University Men's Basketball program in 2000-2001, winning a CIS National Championship.

Davies has worked as a coach and administrator with both Basketball PEI and the Quebec Basketball Federation, and is a recent graduate of the National Coaching Institute in Ontario. An NCCP Level 4 candidate, he holds graduate degrees in Sport & Exercise Psychology (McGill University) and Sport Administration (Concordia University).

UPEI will begin its search for a replacement immediately and Annear hopes to have a job description posted through local and national channels by mid-week.