Matt Thompson, a former standout performer at Slippery Rock University, begins his eighth season as The Rock’s head men’s soccer coach.
The high-water mark of his Rock coaching career came in 2005, when he led the Green and White to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship and a berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs. He was named 2005 PSAC Coach of the Year for his efforts.
Thompson earned his second PSAC Coach of the year honor last season after leading the team to the PSAC playoffs and to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Thompson prepared for his first full-time head coaching assignment by serving three seasons as an assistant women’s coach at Robert Morris University in Moon Township (west of Pittsburgh). Prior to that, he served one season as assistant boys coach at Seneca Valley High School.
Thompson worked under former USA National, Major League Soccer and Pittsburgh Riverhounds head coach John Kowalski at Robert Morris. Thompson served four months as RMU’s interim head coach prior to Kowalski’s being hired.
A native of England, Thompson served one season as coach of a School of Excellence for the Millwall Football Club (professional youth team in London) and as assistant coach of the Saffron Walden semi-pro team.
Since coming to America in 1994, Thompson has also been head coach of the Under 16-19 North Stars Soccer Club (an affiliate of the Stars Soccer Association) and Northern Steel select teams. His Under-19 Northern Steel team won the state championship in 1998.
As a player, Thompson was a member of the Cambridge United professional and Cambridge City, Saffron Walden semi-pro teams in England.
Thompson earned two All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and three Western Pennsylvania all-star honors at Slippery Rock. He was the team Most Valuable Player in 1997, earned four letters and served two seasons as a team captain.
Thompson currently holds the number ten spot in Slippery Rock’s record books for goals scored. He netted 25 goals during his collegiate career at Slippery Rock.
Coach Thompson and his wife Danielle, are the proud parents of two sons, Liam, 5, and Joshua, 2.
