University of St. Thomas Athletics
Matt Bos named head swim and dive coach
3/27/2024 10:15:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
Bos previously served as head coach at CSP, IUPUI and Eastern Illinois
ST. PAUL, MINN. – The University of St. Thomas Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Phil Esten announced Matt Bos as the new head coach of Tommie men's and women's swimming and diving. Bos joins St. Thomas after 20+ seasons coaching at the NCAA Division I and II levels, including stints at Eastern Illinois University and Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI).
"We are thrilled to welcome Matt Bos to St. Thomas athletics and Tommie swimming and diving," said Esten. "Matt not only brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our programs, but also shares many of the core values of St. Thomas athletics. He will be an outstanding leader and mentor for our swim and dive teams as we continue to build our bright future as a Division I program in the Summit League."
Bos brings over 20 years of coaching experience to St. Thomas, including recent stops at Concordia-St. Paul, IUPUI and Eastern Illinois. In addition to his two seasons at CSP, where he launched the Golden Bears inaugural swim and dive programs in 2020, Bos spent eight years at IUPUI. From 2011 to 2019, Bos transformed the Jaguars from bottom dweller to perennial power in the Summit League and was named the conference's Women's Coach of the Year in 2013. Additionally, he led the IUPUI women to a 26th place finish at the 2012 NCAA Championships, the highest finish ever for a Summit League women's program in the history of the event. He also coached 70 Academic All-League selections during his tenure.
"I am deeply grateful to Dr. Esten for entrusting me with the leadership of St. Thomas swimming and diving," commented Bos. "The Tommies have a storied tradition of excellence in swimming and diving, and I am enthusiastic about preserving this legacy as we continue to navigate the transition into the Division I era. The dedication and motivation of St. Thomas student-athletes is unparalleled, and I am anticipating the opportunity to get to know each and every one of them as we collectively shape the future of Tommie swimming and diving."
Prior to his time at IUPUI, Bos served as the head men's and women's swimming coach at his alma matter, Eastern Illinois. In three seasons with the Panthers, Bos' swimmers broke 37 program records, while 33 earned All-Conference honors at the Summit League Championships. Additionally, Bos coached the 2009 Summit League Newcomer of the Year, Ken Tiltges, and helped the men's team earn three consecutive top-3 finishes at the conference meet. Outside the pool, Bos' teams were nationally recognized for their academic performances and his 2008 recruit class earned a top-25 national ranking.
"Returning to the Summit League fills me with excitement," continued Bos, who coached in the conference with both IUPUI and Eastern Illinois. "I am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities of competing against the league's exceptional programs and coaches once more."
In addition to his college coaching experience, Bos was the Director and Head Coach of the San Antonio Wave (2005-08), Wanganui New Zealand Swimming (2004-05) and Swordfish Swim Team (2003-04) out of Skokie, Illinois. He also served as an assistant at Trinity (TX) University and Eastern Illinois from 2000-03. He swam for the Panthers from 1996-2000 and received both his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Science in Sports Management from the university.
