KIRKSVILLE, Mo — Truman State University introduced the 14th men’s basketball head coach in program history on Monday.
Matt Worley will be leading the program going forward, ushering in a new era for TSU athletics.
Worley, who spent the past 12 seasons at Troy University in Alabama, brings a wealth of basketball knowledge to the program.
The former Trojan said he’s excited to become a Bulldog, saying that the school’s basketball tradition and academic reputation was to good to pass up.
“The academic rigor of the school and just the academic reputation in the Midwest, being the number one rated public school in the Midwest, was intriguing and then just the people, the leadership here has a great history of successful college basketball,” Worley said.
During his time as an assistant for the Trojans, he saw a lot of success, helping Troy earn two NCAA national tournament appearances and won 20 games or more in five seasons, including the previous four.
Worley assisted two coaches during that time, soaking up the knowledge of what it takes to build a winning program in a smaller area.
“I learned a lot from the two mentors that I had one (for) six years and six years with the other,” Worley said. “But we did a lot of winning at a program that didn’t have the biggest budget, wasn’t in the best location. So learning how to construct a team that starts on the defensive end and then plays fast offensively. I think I can carry that over here.”
The Bulldog head coach has a tough task of rebuilding a roster that has been decimated by graduation and transfers.
Worley’s goal for the summer will be to bring in transfers and build on the culture already established by the younger players.
“The idea is to find four to five kids that have proven they can do it and proven at the college level,” Worley said. “I understand the pace, commitment and productivity necessary to compete in this league, obviously. So it’s an inexperienced roster, but there’s a lot of character in the locker rooms that will help us as you get better.”
When asked what type of program he hopes to build, Worley said he wants to build a culture that will turn his players into leaders.
He doesn’t just want his athletes to be good basketball players, he’s looking to help them be the best they can be off the court.
“It’s more than just basketball, Worley said. “What’s going on off the floor. can I help you, grow and, as leadership, grow in your faith, grow in your academic pursuits, how can I help you be a humble person, not just a basketball player, because we spend enough time on the basketball floor. But I want them to know that they can get to know me as a person as well.”
Worley said that he also wants to build a team that is connected with the Kirksville community.
He wants his family and team to play a role in the community and encourages everyone to come out and join the Bulldog Nation.
“Build a program that our community can be proud of as well, one where they’ll come out and support us and anybody who’s listening to you, we need you to get there, you know, get season tickets or put your grandson in a camp here,” Worley said. “Just come around the program and join us as we did in November for the season.”
The Bulldogs are fresh off a solid season with an 11-9 conference record and 17-12 overall.
With a new coach and a tradition of good basketball, the future looks bright at Pershing Arena.