Matt Figger

Biography

Matt Figger was hired as the Assistant Coach at UMass on May 21, 2024. Figger spent ten seasons on Martin’s staff at Kansas State and South Carolina before head coaching stints at Austin Peay and UT Rio Grande Valley. Coming to Amherst with a wealth of head coaching experience, Figger spent the last three seasons at UT Rio Grande Valley after four seasons leading Austin Peay. The 2017-18 OVC Coach of The Year, Figger compiled a 76-51 (.598) record, including a 49-25 (.662) mark in OVC play with the Governors. Figger secured two consecutive 20-plus win seasons, recording double-digit conference wins in all four years at the helm in Clarksville, Tennessee. Engineering one of the NCAA’s largest defensive turnarounds, Figger became the first coach in program history to earn double-digit conference wins in his first two seasons. Under Figger’s tutelage, multiple players received All-OVC honors including two-time OVC Player of the Year and current NBA player Terry Taylor. Taylor recorded an NCAA-best 20 double-doubles in 2020-21 while also leading the NCAA in offensive rebounding at 5.15 per game. Serving on staff under Martin at both South Carolina and Kansas State, Figger helped Martin lead both programs to new heights. As associate head coach and recruiting coordinator, Figger helped Martin bring the Gamecocks to their first NCAA Tournament win since 1973 and to the program's first-ever Sweet 16, Elite Eight, and Final Four appearances From 2007-12 Figger worked as assistant coa