CHESTERTOWN, Md. -- Washington College Director of Athletics Dr.
Bryan Matthews has announced the hiring of Matt Reynolds as the
school's new head baseball coach. Reynolds most recently spent
seven seasons as an assistant coach at the United States Naval
Academy.
"We are excited to introduce Matt Reynolds as our new head baseball coach," remarked Matthews. Matt's experience at the United States Naval Academy has prepared him as an outstanding leader to take our baseball program to the next level."
"I would first like to thank Dr. Bryan Matthews and the search committee for this fantastic opportunity," noted Reynolds. "I am honored and humbled to be selected as the head baseball coach at an institution as prestigious and historic as Washington College. I look forward to connecting with our returning and incoming players, reaching out to our vast alumni group,and getting out on the recruiting trail to ensure that the future of Shoremen Baseball is bright."
While at Navy, Reynolds focused on hitting as well as infield and outfield defense and also coached third base. He coached a Patriot League Rookie of the Year and a Patriot League Player of the Year and a number of All-Patriot League players and Major League Baseball draft picks. With Reynolds providing hitting instruction, the Midshipmen set a number of offensive team records and top 10 all-time team totals during his tenure. In his first season, the Midshipmen broke school records for hits, doubles, home runs, RBI, and total bases. His most recent hitters have been especially disciplined at the plate as Navy led the Patriot League in walks drawn and fewest strikeouts in both 2013 and 2014.
In addition to his on-field duties, Reynolds served as the team's travel coordinator, compliance point-person, and recruiter. He also began serving as the director of Navy Baseball Camps in 2012, a multi-season program which works with over 550 campers on an annual basis. He recently completed a six-year tenure as an active duty Lieutenant and Physical Education Instructor at Navy. He stood as the Physical Education Duty Officer, opening and securing Physical Education buildings and remaining on-call on a bi-weekly basis to respond to any facility issues. He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for professional achievement in the superior performance of his duties as an instructor and coach.
"I would like to thank the Navy Baseball Program, the coaching and support staff, and specifically Head Coach Paul Kostacopoulos, who has been a mentor and friend to me for the better part of a decade," Reynolds reflect. "For the gift of working alongside Coach Kosty, all the wonderful coaches, staff and Midshipmen at the Naval Academy, and serving this great nation as an officer in the United States Navy, I will be forever grateful. I would also like to thank my wife Alexandra, our parents, extended family and friends who have been so supportive over the years and without whom I would never have been granted an opportunity so special."
Reynolds got his start in collegiate coaching at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass), his alma mater, where he served as a graduate assistant coach for three seasons. In that role, he worked with infielders and hitters and assisted in recruiting. Reynolds played his final two collegiate playing seasons at UMass after transferring from the University of Maine. He earned Atlantic 10 All-Tournament Team honors in 2003 and was named the Minutemen's Most Valuable Player the following season.
Reynolds earned a B.A. in Communications from UMass in 2005 and an M.Ed. in Education Technology from the school five years later.
Reynolds replaces Travis Turgeon, who resigned as head coach in May after two seasons. The Shoremen went 16-20 overall and 7-11 in Centennial Conference play during the 2014 season.