Matt Croci, a 1994 Wittenberg alumnus, was named Wittenberg's head men's basketball coach on July 1, 2016, making him the 19th head coach in school history. He brings 20 years of coaching experience, including 10 as a head coach. Croci holds the distinction of being the only individual in the 37-year history of the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) to win honors as the NCAC Men's Basketball Player of the Year (1994) and Coach of the Year (2008, 2018). He was inducted into the Wittenberg Athletics Hall of Honor in 2005.

"I am extremely honored and humbled to be named head men's basketball coach at my alma mater. The tradition and history of our program make this a special opportunity for me and my family," said Croci, "Wittenberg has always been home to me, I look forward to guiding the program into the future and leading our student-athletes to reaching their full potential. I'd like to thank Dr. Helton, the Board of Trustees and Gary Williams for their support and trust in me to lead the program. I also appreciate the outpouring of support shown by our incredible basketball alumni."

Wittenberg Highlights

• In three seasons, Croci’s Tigers have garnered a 69-18 record (.793%)
• 2018 North Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year
• 2018 Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year - National Association of Basketball Coaches
• 2018 D3Hoops.com Great Lakes Regional Coach of the Year
• NCAC Tournament Champions 2018, 2019
• NCAC Regular Season Champions 2018
• Croci took the Tigers back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since the 2013-14 season. Wittenberg made their first back-to-back NCAA appearances in 2018 & 2019 for the first time since the 2011 & 2012 season.
• Advanced to the 2^nd round of the NCAA tournament 2018, 2019
• In his second year at the helm, the Tigers found their way onto the national leader board, tallying a 22-game win streak.
• So far, Croci’s Tigers have spent 21 weeks ranked in the D3hoops.com Top 25 poll, making their highest appearance at No. 3 during the 2017-18 season.
• Croci has coached the first three NCAC Defensive Players of the Year: Shane Edwards (16-17), Chad Roy (17-18), Mitchell Balser (18-19).
• Croci has coached one All-American since taking over the program: Chad Roy (2018).
• Croci has coached three Great Lakes All-Region players: Shane Edwards (2017), Chad Roy (2018) and Connor Seipel (2019)
• Croci has guided 6 players to All-NCAC honors: Shane Edwards, Jaelin Williams, Chad Roy, Mitch Balser, Jake Bertemes and Connor Seipel.
• The Tigers have also garnered the last two NCAC Tournament MVPs: James Johnson (2019) and Connor Seipel (2018).

Prior Coaching Highlights

• 2008 North Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year - Kenyon College
• Croci led Kenyon to back-to-back top-four finishes for just the third time in program history
• Croci also led Kenyon into the NCAC Tournament in all 7 seasons, after having not made it in the previous 2 seasons
• Croci coached one All-American, one NCAC Player of the Year, two NCAC Newcomer’s of the Year and eight All-NCAC players in 7 seasons at Kenyon.

The Croci File:

Hometown: Toledo, OH
Alma Mater: Wittenberg University '94

College Coaching Experience

• Capital University Assistant Coach (1994-96, 2000-03, 13-15)
• Mary Washington College Assistant Coach (1998-2000)
• Kenyon College Head Coach (2003-10)
• Wittenberg University Assistant Coach (2012-13, 15-16)

Honors

North Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (2008,2018)
Wittenberg Athletics Hall of Honor (2005)
NCAC Player of the Year (1994)
All-American (1994)

2x Wittenberg Points Leader (1993, 1994)

Steals Leader (1994)

The Toledo, Ohio native earned his bachelor's degree in English from Wittenberg in 1994, and he is currently finishing his master's in sports leadership from Northeastern University.

His wife, Patrice, is a 1995 Wittenberg graduate. They reside in Upper Arlington with their three children, Sophia, Cecilia, and Cameron.