University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Tellez Tabbed as Men's Soccer Assistant Coach
05.12.2016 | Men's Soccer
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville head men's soccer coach Matt Mennell has announced the addition of Matthew Tellez as an assistant coach with the Bulldog soccer program.
Tellez comes to Asheville after serving the last four seasons as an assistant coach at Sacramento State, a Division I school in the Big West Conference. While at Sacramento State, he worked with midfield and back line players and was also involved with recruiting and as an academic mentor for the team. In addition to his work with the program, Tellez also served as Sacramento State's Youth Soccer Camp Director and overseeing numerous camps throughout the calendar year.
“When we began the process of our search for a new 1st assistant coach, I had a wish list of the characteristics that would define the ideal candidate,” Mennell stated. “They would have a high level of coaching acumen, possess impeccable personal values and character, come from a great playing background, demonstrate a total commitment to the development of the student-athlete, and ideally, they would have experience in a successful Division I Men's Soccer program as an assistant coach. Needless to say, these were and are lofty expectations. I am pleased to say that this description fits Matt Tellez in every facet. I could not be more excited that he has decided to join our program. Matt is going to add a tremendous amount of value to UNC Asheville, the UNC Asheville Men's Soccer program and to the City of Asheville.”
Prior to his time on the staff at Sacramento State, Tellez played four seasons as a holding midfielder for the program. He is second in program history with 80 career matches played and is tied for the single-season Sacramento State record with 23 matches started in 2010. He earned All-MPSF Honorable Mention following the 2009 season and was a starter on the 2009 and 2010 MPSF championship teams that also won NCAA Tournament games and advanced to the second round. For his career, Tellez totaled two goals and three assists for seven points, scoring one game winning goal and attempting 59 shots.
"I want to thank everyone involved at UNC Asheville, especially Janet R. Cone, Terri Brne and Coach Mennell, for this opportunity. I am honored and humbled to be chosen as the new assistant coach, and excited about working with the coaching staff, players, athletics department and community,” Tellez stated. “I'd like to thank Coach Mike Linenberger and Coach Matt McDougall for giving me an opportunity to begin my coaching career at Sacramento State and helping me to become a better coach and person.”
In addition to his work with Sacramento State, Tellez also served as a youth coach for Sacramento United, working with both the younger and older age groups as the head coach of the U11 and U17 teams. Tellez graduated from Sacramento State in spring 2012 with a degree in psychology.
“We're excited for this opportunity for him,” Sacramento State head coach Mike Lineberger stated. “He's been here since 2008 as a player then an undergraduate assistant and worked his way up to second assistant. He's grown tremendously as a coach in his time here and the opportunity to be a top assistant at a quality program like Asheville is a chance that he couldn't pass up. It will be great for his continued growth and development and I think he will add a lot to their staff and program.”
