Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
NCAA National Coach of the Year Named Middle Tennessee Head Volleyball Coach
1/27/2004 3:34:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
"Matt's personality and enthusiasm really put him a step ahead of the other applicants we had for this position," Turnham said. "He has really distinguished himself as a top-notch coach with his success and career record."
"Middle Tennessee is one of two schools I earmarked as a job I would love to apply for if it came open," Peck said. "It was a job I really went after when I heard it became available."
Peck was aware of Middle Tennessee and it's program as he had brought his North Alabama team to the campus last spring to play in a tournament. He was impressed with the facilities then and equally enticed by the commitment the athletic department has to the success of the program after meeting with Turnham and Athletic Director Boots Donnelly.
"I believe Matt can come in and develop this program into one of the best in the conference and in the region," Turnham said. "He can take this program to the next level and we are proud to have him here at Middle Tennessee."
"I am really grateful to Boots Donnelly and Diane Turnham for giving me this opportunity," Peck said. "It feels like home already."
Peck is bringing a tradition of success to Middle Tennessee as he led North Alabama to a NCAA Division II National Championship in 2003. The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) in conjunction with Tachikara USA named Peck the Tachikara/AVCA Division II National Coach of the Year this past season.
"I am anxious about getting started at Middle Tennessee and settling into my office and beginning to recruit the players we need for the fall," Peck said. "It is kind of bittersweet here at North Alabama because we are unveiling our National Championship banner on Saturday and I am consumed with that event here but know I have to finish things up at UNA to prepare for my move to Middle Tennessee."
Peck led North Alabama to its eighth consecutive NCAA Tournament, capped with the school's first-ever NCAA Championship with a 3-0 win over Concordia St. Paul. North Alabama finished the season with an overall record of 33-7.
In nine seasons at North Alabama, Peck compiled a record of 291-41, which includes seven straight Gulf South Conference Championships, eight straight NCAA Tournament appearances and four straight in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. Peck is the only coach in Gulf South Conference history to be selected as its coach of the year for three consecutive seasons (1996, 1997, 1998) and has won the award four times overall.
Prior to North Alabama, Peck spent seven seasons (1987-94) as the head coach at Wayne State University (Mich.) compiling a record of 231-135 with two NCAA Tournament appearances (1987 and 1994). Under Peck's guidance, Wayne State produced 27 All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference performers, 20 GLIAC All-Academic members, one All-American, 12 All-Region players and three GLIAC Freshmen-of-the-Year.
Before joining Wayne State, Peck coached volleyball on the high school level Indiana, and also served as a graduate assistant at Purdue University from 1980-83. While at Purdue University, Peck served as the graduate assistant for the Boilermakers' men's volleyball team and also worked with various volleyball clubs in the West Lafayette, Ind. area.
Overall, Peck has compiled a record of 543-196 in 20 seasons. A 1980 graduate of the University of Michigan with a bachelor degree in psychology, Peck received his master's degree in physical education-sport administration at Wayne State in 1992. Peck is a native of Dearborn Heights, Michigan.
COMMENTS ABOUT COACH MATT PECK:
Aston Rhoden, Middle Tennessee Head Soccer Coach:
"I think Matt will be a great addition to the Middle Tennessee coaching staff. He has a proven track record for success and I believe he will bring that same success here to Middle Tennessee. When I was a coach at North Alabama I was always amazed at the talent and athleticism he was able to produce out of his athletes and I am looking forward to seeing that same kind of style of play here at Middle Tennessee."
Amy Hendrichovsky, Metro State Assistant Volleyball Coach (former player at North Alabama):
"Matt is a great person and coach and he really helped me grow as a player and a person in my four years at North Alabama. I believe he is ready to take the next step in his coaching career and will be successful at Middle Tennessee. Matt knows how to recognize a player's talent and how to push the players into being the best they can be. He also knows how to build tradition and a program and help the players understand the importance of creating something to be proud of. Playing for Matt was the best four years of my life at UNA."
Dr. Kaylene Gebert, Middle Tennessee Provost, Executive VP:
"I think Matt will do a wonderful job. He has all the right skills, from my perspective, to create a great atmosphere for a student-athlete to succeed. He has always emphasized athletics and academics in his programs."
Joel Erdmann, North Alabama Athletic Director:
"Coach Peck has a great resume that speaks for itself. He came to North Alabama and transformed an honorable program to an elite program. What is impressive to me is that he came in and brought a consistency of success to the program with no peaks and valleys. We will miss him terribly but wish him continued success at Middle Tennessee."
