WESTON, Mass. – Diana Matthews, a graduate of Regis College and long-time successful coach, has accepted an offer to become the Pride's head men's and women's swimming and diving coach, effective September 20, 2021.
"It is time to welcome Diana Matthews home and back to Regis College as she takes over as our head men's & women's swimming & diving coach. She swam for legendary coach Ray Harrington and considered him a mentor. She is proud to carry on his legacy, and I have total confidence that her demonstrated level of coaching success is going to be easily transferable to the collegiate level," Pam Roecker, Dean of Athletics, said. "Further, Coach Matthews has an outstanding network of high school and club coaches that she is going to be able to develop as we strive to achieve our goal of recruiting the most talented student-athletes to our program. Finally, Coach Matthews's energy, enthusiasm, and genuine interest and care of all of our student-athletes is going to invigorate these programs from a visibility and competitive standpoint, and I am so excited for the future of Pride Swimming & Diving under her leadership!"
Matthews has been the head girls' swim coach at Winchester High School since 2009 as well as the head boys' swim coach since 2010. She has consistently coached swimmers who have qualified for both North sectional and state championships. She has also guided a diver to All-American honors in each of the past two seasons. Several of her swimmers have gone on to compete at the collegiate level, including Division I program Holy Cross and Division II schools St. Michael's and Assumption.
Since 2017, Matthews has also served as the head swim coach at Winchester Swim & Tennis Club, overseeing a squad of 100 swimmers ages 5-16. She plans the workouts and lineups, communicates with club members about the swim program, and supervises the swim instructors as they teach lessons. Besides the head coaching position, Matthews will also fill the role of aquatics director at Regis.
During her collegiate career, Matthews swam for Regis Athletics Hall of Fame coach Ray Harrington, specializing in the sprint freestyle and backstroke events. She was part of a team that lost just one dual meet in both her junior and senior seasons and finished 10th at the New England Championships in three straight years (1993-95). Also a member of the soccer team, Matthews graduated from Regis in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in social work.
"I want to thank Dean of Athletics Pam Roecker and the entire hiring committee for this opportunity. I am excited to return to the Regis College campus and be part of the Pride team. I am honored and humbled to follow in some amazing footsteps of those who have led the program before me," Matthews said. "I look forward to working with very talented student/athletes in the swimming and diving program. I look forward to leading the program with integrity, sportsmanship, and the knowledge I have learned throughout my swimming coaching career."
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT COACH DIANA MATTHEWS …
Katie Harrington Morrill, Regis College Class of 1999 & Daughter of Regis Athletics Hall of Fame coach Ray Harrington
"I am thrilled to hear that Diana will be the new head coach of the swimming and diving program at Regis College! As a former swimmer, Diana was an integral part of the legacy of Regis's swim and dive team in the 1990s under Ray Harrington. Diana has always been a mentor to me and a true leader in her years at Regis. The 12 years she has spent as a high school swim coach reflects her passion and dedication to this sport. This is an opportune time for her to advance her coaching career to the collegiate level and continue the success that the swim team has demonstrated in the past"
Richard Lennon, MIAA Swimming Official & Father of Regis College alum Katherine (Lennon) Hernandez '98
"Diana Matthews has a proven and positive ability to lead, guide, relate to, and mentor young men and women in their development of life skills in a team environment, as well as the mechanics of competitive swimming and diving. A great selection for Regis College to continue outstanding leadership in athletics and the fostering of life-long talents."
Marc Arria, Athletic Director, Winchester High School
"Coach Matthews is a phenomenal coach and an even better person. Her teams always display the highest level of sportsmanship and competitiveness. Student-athletes truly appreciate both her communication style and her knowledge of the sport. All of the students that have gone through her program are better because they were coached by her."