Matt Hinds is entering is his first season ahead of the 2024-2025 academic year as Associate Head Coach of the Eastern Michigan University soccer team, as announced by Head Coach Taylor Clarke Tuesday, Feb. 13.

Hinds was named an All-American at Calvin College in 2017 while Clarke was an assistant coach for the Knights before the two overlapped at Ashland University in the 2020 season as Hinds served as an assistant coach while Clarke was the head coach.

"We are so excited to have Matt join our program," Clarke said at the time of Hinds' hiring. "He is a fantastic coach who will bring another level of passion and energy to our staff. Matt is really sharp when it comes to the tactical side of the game and a great recruiter. But more importantly, he is also an incredible mentor for young people who cares deeply about helping others grow. Matt comes from a culture of winning and I know how driven he is to help this program reach its full potential. "

Hinds spent the last three seasons at Calvin as Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator on the men's side, winning three-straight Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association regular season titles, two MIAA Tournament titles, and helping the Knights secure the MIAA Player of the Year during all three seasons. During his time as an assistant in Grand Rapids, the Knights made two Sweet 16 appearances and one Round of 32 appearance over the team's three NCAA Tournament runs. Hinds was part of a staff that was named United Soccer Coaches Division III Regional VIII Staff of the Year in 2023, producing seven United Soccer Coaches Division III All-Americans from 2021-23.

"I want to thank Taylor Clarke and the Eastern Michigan University Athletics staff for giving me the opportunity to join this amazing program," Hinds said at the time of his hiring. "I also want to share my appreciation for Head Coach Ryan Souders and Athletic Director Jim Timmer of Calvin University for the opportunity to learn and grow under their leadership for the past three years. I am excited to help facilitate a great student-athlete experience for the women in this program and compete at the highest level."

Hinds spent a year and a half at Ashland on the women's side, helping the Eagles to an 8-2-1 record, which included a victory over second-ranked Grand Valley State University.

Hinds started his coaching journey at Division II Malone University during the 2019 season. He was forced into an Interim Head Coach role after starting as an assistant coach, guiding the Pioneers to a 3-0-1 mark while in charge of the men's team.

Hind originally hails from Frankenmuth, Mich., playing at Calvin from 2014-17 and qualifying for four NCAA Tournaments, highlighted by a trip to the National Championship in 2016. He accumulated 13 goals and 32 assists over 98 games played as a defender.

Hinds graduated from Calvin in the spring of 2018 with a degree in Business Administration while also earning his Masters of Business Administration from Ashland in 2021.