Van Matre Retires

[monk]

The long time McClain coach calls it quits.

http://www.wchoam.com/cc-common/mainhea ... le=5256121

[tigernation]

Having been a member of Rick's staff for the past 16 years, this is a very sad time for me personally. Our coaching staff has been together for many, many years - and we are basically a family. Gossett, Cup, Streitenberger, Eaton, Corey in recent (and past) years - go back to Payton, Shoemaker, Miller for you old timers....The main reason why very few of us ever left is we have such a great time coaching with Rick.

We all knew this day would come and things around here will never ever be the same. Rick is one of the most modest and nicest people I have ever been around. His on-the-court demeanor was completely opposite of how he is off the floor. People that know Rick can testify to that and probably have a hundred personal examples.

This community has lost a legend. Someone who built a program from basically nothing in 1981. Only one losing season in those 28 years and 8 district titles. Not bad.

I am going to miss "ole dad". Happy fishin' Rick....

[FANOSPORTS]

I think he got more out of his player's over the years than any coach in southeast ohio. With the exception of Dante he never had all the talent but he sure put the "team" in team. When I was much, much younger the kids my age that were in elementary and jr. high at that time used to go watch Rick and the older "high school" kids play baseball , basketball and football and we wanted to be like them someday of course. They came from Middleport Ohio - Rick, Dave Boyd, Dennis Ault, Mark Tannehill and a few others were our heros at the time even though they probably didn't know it. A lot of times that group of guys would be playing pickup basketball games at the old Middleport elementary and every now and then we would go over to watch them play and they'd even let us play sometimes, pick us on their team. That was very cool !!!!! Rick was a good baseball pitcher back in the day. He played for Coach Carl Wolfe at Meigs, then went to Gallipolis to coach with "Oz" before going to Greenfield I believe. I lost track of a lot of those guys and still speak to a few of them when I see them at playoff games or I make it down to the old baseball park in the summer and even though I'm a lot older now every now and then your childhood memories come out and I just had a couple as I read the above post. I wish Rick the best in retirement and godspeed !!!!!

[Burg_Grad_77]

Southeastern Ohio lost a legend today and he will be sorely missed on the hardwood in our area.

[Steven A.]

Coach Van Matre is a class act!! His teams were always tough and very well coached. His open post offense was extremely hard to defend. I am so sad to here this. Good luck Coach V.!!!

[bman]

Good luck to Coach Van Matre. Watching those LE-Greenfield battles was classic. Definitely one of the strongest programs in our area of the state.

[BubbleGumTiger]

Good luck to Coach Van Matre, it has been a real pleasure watching you coach over the years at the Convo......I am sure your fans hate to see you retire but it has to end somewhere...........

from an Ironton fan

[Focused]

Happy retirement.... Enjoy..

You have epitomized what coaching is all about, and built a great program.............very good TEAMS over the years......

[trojandave]

The Greenfield community is losing what I have said for years.......the best coach in the SE District........he did more with less than any other coach.......his shoes will be difficult to fill, since following a great coach is always difficult.......I wonder if McClain will hire in house or will look elsewhere........Van Matre came from Gallipolis and became the most successful coach in MHS history...........

472-169 overall record in 28 years at McClain.......I believe at least 8 district titles and 3 appearances in the Elite 8...........

[smurray]

http://www.chillicothegazette.com/artic ... GECAROUSEL

[sparky]

where is derek sheridan coaching now? would he be a candidate to fill the position? he has experience at it as he followed shafer at court house.

[Winchell]

Brent Eaton?

[coachovc]

I had the pleasure of playing for Rick his 1st year of coaching on the JV team at GAHS. I could go on and on about what a great guy and great coach he is. He not only helped me as a player but he has helped me as a coach as well. I won't write a novel here as I could easily do. I will say thanks to Rick for his positive influence on me as well as I know many others. The game will miss him greatly. Thanks Coach!

[tigernation]

Brent is currently athletic director at McClain and is working on his masters degree for administration.

He is the obvious candidate and would do a great job. I am sure that he would be the only one on staff willing to take on the job but he has some decisions to make - that is for sure. I believe strongly that our staff will remain in tact if we keep it "in house". If they look outside and bring in someone with a different philosophy than what Rick (and the rest of us have), there will be a lot of coaching positions that will need to be filled next winter. Frankly, I don't see that happening. We have a great administration, supportive school board and community.

Derek is at Maumee - the problem would be a physical education position which will not exist next year in the district.

[earp]

WOW!This is kinda like the pope dying!What will Southeastern Ohio hoops do without one of the without Van Matre??

[WitnessProtection]

Sorry to hear about this.
Coach Ban Matre will be hard to replace.

[rivercat]

McClain is one of the few programs where you dreaded going up against the coach more than the players. In my 30 years of watching high school basketball in Southeast Ohio, I think that Van Matre was the best coach I have ever seen in preparing his teams and understanding his opponents. Good luck in the future coach, you'll be missed.

[Yossarian]

Sad to see one of the best retire so young. Coach Van Matre was one coach who understood that defense wins championships. I always admired the way his kids played on both ends. Congrats coach on a great career and enjoy.