University of South Alabama Athletics

Matt Hancock joins the Jaguars after three years with the San Diego Padres organization. Hancock spent one year with the ACL Padres staff before transitioning to Rehabilitation Pitching Coordinator for the Padres organization. 

Prior to joining the Padres, Hancock was with Troy from 2019 to 2021 as the Trojans' pitching coach. In 2020, he helped coach one of the nation's best pitchers in Levi Thomas, who ranked 10th nationally with 42 strikeouts in 23.0 innings, to 2nd team All-America honors. Thomas was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres. In 2019, Hancock's first year on the Troy staff, he helped coach Thomas to an 8-2 record on the mound in a season where the sophomore fanned 87 batters in 80.2 innings. Hancock worked to help develop one of the nation's most experienced relievers in Lance Johnson, who has emerged as one of Troy's most trusted relief pitchers. Johnson was named to the 2020 Stopper of the Year watch list after he made a team-high 36 appearances, all in relief, and finished 2019 with a 2.80 ERA.

Following his playing career at North Alabama, Hancock worked with the Lions as a student assistant for a season, then two more as a graduate assistant before being promoted to an assistant coach leading into the 2009 season. 

Hancock spent nine seasons as assistant coach and helped lead the Lions to a combined 277-181-1 record that includes back-to-back NCAA South Region Tournament berths in 2011 and 2012. The Lions finished the 2011 campaign with a 37-14 record, led by a pitching staff with 3.68 earned run average and 12 complete game performances. In 2012 the Lions were 39-18 and set school records for most strikeouts in a game (18) and season (374). For his contributions to the Lions success in 2012, he was honored by the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association (ALABCA) as Assistant Coach of the Year on the Four-Year College Level. In 2015 his UNA pitchers allowed the fewest walks (98) in a season since the school has kept records, while striking out 281. It was also UNA's fourth season in the last five years with a team ERA under 4.00. The 2017 UNA pitching staff threw 13 complete games and set a school record with 405 strikeouts. That unit was led by All-Gulf South Conference and All-South Region pitcher Tyler Joyner, who went 10-2. The team finished with a 3.87 ERA.

Hancock also boasts a legendary playing career at North Alabama, with a 20-5 career record and two conference championships from 2002-05. Hancock pitched 206.6 innings in 58 career appearances for the Lions, striking out 128 batters while walking just 46. As a senior, Hancock helped UNA to a Gulf South Conference East Division title that included 16 straight league wins and a 39-19 overall record. UNA advanced to the championship game of the GSC Tournament and he was an All-GSC Tournament selection.

During his time at UNA, Hancock also worked in the summer ball system, working with the Alexandria Beetles of the Northwoods league in 2005 and 2008, then working as Head Coach for the 2011 team. Hancock's Beetles went on to win a record 44 games, and make the NWL playoffs for just the second time in team history. 

Personal: Hancock is married to former UNA soccer standout Emily Cotham and they have a daughter, Hallie and son, Brice ... He received his B.S. degree in History from UNA and his Masters of Health and Physical Education from UNA as well.