Nathan Matthews was introduced as the third head coach in the history of Wittenberg University's men's volleyball program in 2021. He has made an immediate impact on the program, and after the 2023 season Matthews was named 2023 MCVL Coach of the Year for engineering a dramatic turnaround of the Wittenberg program.

In 2023, the Tigers secured their first MCVL Regular Season Championship in program history just 2 seasons removed from a last place finish during the 2021 season. The Tigers also reached new heights by receiving votes in the AVCA Top 15 Coaches Poll for the first time since 2016 after knocking off 2021 National Runner-Up Benedictine. The Men’s Volleyball program also received recognition as Wittenberg’s Men’s Academic Team of the Year.

"It's great to welcome back Nathan back to Wittenberg, where he graduated and competed on our first men's volleyball team," said Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Brian Agler. "He's coming from a national championship staff at the University of Kentucky. His natural passion for Wittenberg along with his recent championship experience will help him build our program."

Matthews enjoyed a historic career in the Red & White, which included playing on the first intercollegiate men's volleyball team in Wittenberg history, journeying all the way to closing out his career by helping Wittenberg claim its first conference regular-season title in program history. Matthews was one of 21 spring sport student-athletes across all NCAA Divisions to earn an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship during the 2018-19 year.  

Matthews was the Technical Coordinator for the University of Kentucky’s women’s volleyball team for their historic 2020 National Championship run. In this role, Matthews was placed in charge of the Wildcats’ video breakdown in addition to creating analytics and scouting reports. The 2020 season saw Kentucky reach their first Final Four, first National Championship game, and win the first National Championship ever by an SEC team.

Matthews began his coaching career at Tecumseh High School in New Carlisle in 2016, leading the girls' team to an overall record of 13-10. In three seasons at Tecumseh, Matthews compiled a record of 42-28, posting winning records in each of those seasons (2016-18). Matthews earned Clark County Coach of the Year honors in his final season at Tecumseh. He also had success coaching boys' volleyball as an assistant coach for Ohio Valley Region High Performance, earning a pair of bronze medals in 2018 and 2019.

"I want to thank the entire committee for giving me the opportunity to come home to Wittenberg and lead a program that is so special to me," Matthews said. "In 2015, I committed to being a part of the recruiting class that established Wittenberg men's volleyball because I knew this program had the potential to be something special. With the addition of the best facilities in the country and Brian Agler's leadership, I have never been more confident that Wittenberg men's volleyball has a very bright future ahead."