When Bakersfield College’s swimming coach Charlie Pike resigned, there was no telling what direction the program would take, so alumnus Matt Moon stepped in and was hired as the new coach this summer.
“We had to put it out there, and Matt Moon came very highly recommended,” said athletic director Ryan Beckwith. “We brought him in for an interview and interviewed a couple of other guys, but Matt came in and he fit exactly what we were looking for.
“Not only is he a swimmer himself, but he’s got the competitive edge and he’s coached at the higher-level. He fits perfectly for what we’re looking to move the program forward.
“You definitely look for someone with experience and someone that can motivate the athletes. You look for a coach that’s been there. When you’re a college athlete and you’re trying to be the best you can be, it always helps when you have a coach that has been there. Matt’s been there, and he’s very well respected here in the community and he’s respected by the team.”
Moon, at only 25 years of age, replaced his former coach. He was a swimmer here at BC in 2008. He also swam at Cal State-Bakersfield. He has NCAA coaching experience. Moon will start his tenure as BC swimming coach in the Spring of 2013.
Moon explained what it meant to him to be a coach at BC.
“It feels good,” said Moon. “I was here for a year, so I know the system and this feels good. I had two previous years coaching as an assistant coach in Union College in Kentucky. When Charlie resigned, I was just able to step right in. I just want to take a different look at swimming. A lot of swimmers are just used to swimming back and forth and just a lot of yardage. I’m looking at more dynamic workouts, like dry-land running and just circuit training. Something to keep them interested and keep them coming back.”
He explained that it’s something that he picked up while doing CrossFit in the past year.
He also added that Pike recommended him for the job.
“He lined me up to apply for the position and get the position,” he said. “He still helps me out if I have questions. He didn’t leave me stranded, so he’s still up here helping. It just shows that he’s a great coach and person, and also that he doesn’t want the program to go under.
“I think they’re going to do really well. They’re super motivated right now, and they’re working hard. I’m hoping we can keep this enthusiasm throughout the season, and if we can do that, we’ll be looking pretty good,” he said.
Beckwith also added that he likes all the changes Moon has made.
“One of the cool things about Matt and what he’s doing is he’s very dynamic in his workouts. So people aren’t used to it. Now if you’re walking on campus, you’ll see our swim team running, working outside of the pool and it’s really cool to see the swimmers running and working outside of the pool. It’s going to be an exciting season.
“I think it’s fantastic and I know the team loves what he’s doing,” he said. “He’s pushing them in a way they’ve never been pushed before, so for a lot of swimmers, that came to the college level they expect it to be status quo, and they train like they always have trained.
“It’s great that Matt has changed everything; how they used to train in the past. It makes you a better swimmer. It makes you a better athlete, and I think it’s nothing but great things to come.
“I would like to see the swim team have a successful season,” he said. “We’ve always have had a dominant swim team here at BC, and I would like to see the tradition continue, and Matt’s the right guy for the job.”