April 20, 2004

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina announced today it has hired Matt Jennings as the new men’s basketball strength and conditioning coach. At Wake Forest University the past four years, Jennings will also work with volleyball.

“We’re delighted that someone with the proven experience of a Matt Jennings was available and anxious to take over the leadership role of our strength and conditioning program,” said USC head basketball coach Dave Odom. “Matt has been an integral part of the success of the Wake Forest basketball program the past two years and no doubt he will build upon the solid base we have built with our strength and conditioning program. We welcome Matt, his wife Jill and their family to the University and to the Midlands.”

“This was a career opportunity for me,” said Jennings. “My dad played football with Coach Odom in college and so I know what he need and expects. I have been in the SEC and know the expectation level – schools in this conference not only want to win games, but also win championships. The facilities, the people here are impressive. I know the two people before me were very well-respected, well-liked by both the players and staff so I hope to build on what they’ve done, bring something different to the program and help them make a further impression on the national scene. I am excited to get started!”

At Wake Forest from June 2000 until the present time, he worked with men’s basketball the past two years. At Wake, Jennings has worked with women’s basketball for three years, and men’s soccer and baseball for each of his four years.

He received a BA in Physical Education, Exercise Sports Science from University of North Carolina in 1996. He played center for two years for the Tarheel Football team (1992, ’93).

He completed a master’s degree in Sport Administration from the University of Tennessee in 1998. While at UT, he worked as a graduate assistant, assisting with football, men’s basketball and baseball. He also oversaw men’s cross country, and men’s swimming and diving.

From March 1999 – June 2000, he worked as a strength and conditioning intern with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He and his wife Jill have twins (2 years: Delaney and Zachary) and another child due in June. He graduated from Morehead HS in Eden, NC in 1992. Jennings, 30, is a native of Winston-Salem, N.C. His father Harry is a former HS football coach (mother’s name is Bunny).