Now in his third season on the sidelines of his alma mater, former Terrapin Matt Kovarik has already experienced success in the coaching ranks. A steady, defense-oriented guard, Kovarik lettered from 1994-98 under Gary Williams and finished his collegiate career with what was then a Maryland record nine appearances in NCAA Tournament games. Now in a different capacity, a Sweet Sixteen appearance and a march to the national title can be added to Kovarik's impressive list of postseason accolades.

In his first two seasons, the Terrapins have compiled a 53-14 (.791) record, two Top 2 finishes in the ACC and two Top 10 final rankings in the coaches poll. Maryland has made two NCAA Tournament showings, two trips to the Sweet Sixteen and one appearance in the Final Four en route to the 2002 championship. Kovarik was the first player in Maryland history to play on five straight teams that finished in the top half of the ACC. He concluded his career after playing in 129 games, which trails only the elite company of Juan Dixon (141), Steve Blake (138), Drew Nicholas (138), Lonny Baxter (138), Mike Mardesich (137), Terence Morris (136) and Len Bias (131) in the Terrapin record book.

As a freshman, Kovarik was an honorable mention pick for the ACC All-Freshman team, and as a sophomore was part of the Terps' 1995 ACC regular season championship. He played on NCAA Tournament teams in 1994, 1995, 1997 and 1998 -helping the Terps advance to the Sweet Sixteen three times.

To Law School And Back Again
Kovarik, who recently completed his first year of law school, began his coaching career in summer 2001, assuming the role of helping the student-athletes manage their day-to-day schedules. Kovarik works with the Maryland players and the athletics department's Academic Support and Career Development unit to ensure that the team's academic responsibilities are met. Over the course of his first two seasons, he also contributed to the program's advance scouting and on-the-court coaching, which he will continue in 2003-04.

As the co-director of the Gary Williams summer basketball camp, Kovarik coordinates the management of the coaches, the scheduling of the facilities, housing, meals and guest speakers. Kovarik was largely responsible for the oversight of the 2002 and 2003 summer camps, which boasted the largest attendance numbers in camp history following the Terps' 10th straight NCAA tournament appearance.

A member of the All-ACC Academic team as a junior, Kovarik won the Terps' scholar-athlete award in three consecutive seasons from 1996 to 1998. Following commencement Kovarik worked for Xerox in New York City for two years before attending the University of Maryland School of Law in Baltimore.

"Matt was the type of player that helped make us a very good basketball team while he was here. He was the type of defensive player that could guard anyone from a point guard to a small forward," commented Williams on Kovarik's style of play. "He has a very good knowledge of the game, and relates well to our players."

Five NCAA Tourney Teams
Kovarik averaged 2.4 points, 2.0 assists and 1.7 rebounds while playing 15 minutes per game during his senior campaign with the Terps. Maryland finished 21-11 in his senior season, capping a career that saw Maryland post five straight winning seasons and five straight NCAA Tournament appearances. The Terrapins were 103-55 during his five-year career.

The Greensboro, N.C., native played just five games of the 1996 season after suffering a stress fracture in his right leg. He posted a career-high nine points and seven rebounds as a freshman against Morgan State in 1993. He had six assists against UNC Asheville as a senior in 1997, and dished a career-high eight assists at Missouri two games later.

Kovarik prepped at Grimsley High School where he was a three-year starter at point guard.

Kovarik File
Coaching Experience

Assistant Coaching Positions Year School Team Accomplishments 2001-02 Maryland NCAA Champions 2002-03 Maryland NCAA South Region Semifinals

Playing Experience • 1994-98, University of Maryland, basketball letterwinner • Appearances in nine NCAA Tournament games • 129 games is eighth in Maryland history

Playing Honors • Honorable mention ACC All-Freshman team, 1994 • ACC All-Academic team, 1997 • Maryland scholar-athlete, 1996-98

Personal Education: University of Maryland, 1998, B.S. in business University of Maryland Law School, one year Date of Birth: January 24, 1975

Matt Kovarik Position: Assistant Coach Alma Mater: Maryland '98