Erin Matson is no stranger to the spotlight. As a former star player for the North Carolina Tar Heels field hockey team, she dominated the college game, winning four national titles in five seasons and earning the prestigious Honda Award three times.
But now, Matson has traded in her jersey for a clipboard as she takes on a new challenge: head coach of the Tar Heels field hockey program. And at just 22 years old, she’s the youngest coach in modern college athletics.
It’s a bold move for North Carolina, who have won four of the last five NCAA championships and are considered the best program in the country. But when you consider Matson’s playing resume and her natural leadership abilities, the decision to promote her from star player to head coach doesn’t seem so crazy.
Matson’s charisma, confidence, and maturity are well beyond her years. Spend just an hour with her and you’ll see why the decidedly un-rash North Carolina athletic director, Bubba Cunningham, took a chance on her. Her voice is strong, her demeanor is confident, and her passion for the sport is infectious.
But it’s not just Matson’s personality that sets her apart. Her playing resume is unparalleled. She owns wide swaths of the Carolina record book and has extensive international experience as a member of the U.S. national team. She’s been called the Michael Jordan of American college field hockey.
Matson’s transition from star player to head coach was not a gradual one. She graduated with a degree in PR and advertising in December and was announced as head coach in January, just 75 days after leading her team to an undefeated national title.
The decision to hire a 22-year-old head coach is an unprecedented move in modern college athletics. But for North Carolina, it was a no-brainer. They simply couldn’t afford to lose their Michael Jordan.
And as Matson takes on her new role, she’s ready to lead her team to even greater success. With her natural talent, extensive experience, and unwavering passion for the sport, there’s no doubt that Erin Matson is a rising star in the world of field hockey.
