Queens native Matt Collier is entering his fifth season as the Queens College Head Men's Basketball Coach in 2020-21. He was hired as the 14th head coach of the Knights' men basketball program in June of 2016.
A coach with extensive experience at the Division I level, Collier previously spent six seasons as a member of the coaching staff at Drexel University in Philadelphia. The Dragons' achievements on the court include a 2010 victory over then #17 Louisville on the road, and a program-record 29 wins during the 2011-12 season. The team advanced to the quarterfinals of the Postseason NIT, and head coach Bruiser Flint was named CAA Coach of the Year.
Off the court, Collier worked closely with academic services to promote student-athlete welfare and academic success, which was instrumental in maintaining the program's 100% graduation rate over the last 15 years. He developed and conducted pre-season, in-season, and off-season athletic and skill development for players using statistical analysis, film work, and on-court instruction. Collier collaborated with student groups and University administration to prevent domestic violence by launching the inaugural #DragonsInAction 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament to promote bystander intervention.
He led recruitment for the Class of 2013, the highest rated class in the CAA (according to HoopScoopOnline). The relationships Collier developed and maintained with Drexel alumni and boosters resulted in the fundraising for two foreign trips and the renovation of the men's basketball office and team locker room, an estimated total of $3.2 million.
Before joining the Dragons, Collier served a stint as assistant coach at Howard University in Washington, DC from 2005-10. Collier was instrumental in the team's recruiting process, resulting in the highest rated MEAC recruiting class in 2009 (according to HoopScoopOnline). He oversaw the academic progress of all of student-athletes and served as a lead scout in evaluating opposing teams. During his time with the Bison, the team picked up the program's first victory over a Pac-12 team, with a 47-45 victory over the Beavers in Nov. 2008.
Collier had a previous stint at Drexel, serving as the Dragons' coordinator of operations from 2002-2005. During that time, Drexel advanced to three National Invitation Tournament appearances.
Before his first stint at Drexel, Collier was the assistant coach at Globe Institute of Technology in New York. He has also served stints as a camp counselor at the prestigious Eastern Invitational Basketball and Five–Star Basketball camps.
Collier earned his degree from the University of Massachusetts in 2001, majoring in Sport Management. As an undergrad at UMass, Collier was Flint's head manager. Collier attended the Bronx High School of Science. Matt and his wife, Erica, are the parents of daughters Chloe and Cyan.