Matt Gow joined the Tigers in January of 2015 as an assistant coach with a focus on working with defensive players and goalkeepers. Gow’s other responsibilities include assisting in all areas of recruiting and scouting of all opponents.
In his second season with the Orange and Black, Gow helped the Tigers put together one of the best seasons in 2016 as Pacific went 13-4-2 on the year including a NCAA Tournament second round appearance, which was the first in program history. Under Gow's tutelage, Pacific posted seven shutouts on the year, which was tied for the most in the West Coast Conference. Following the season, Gow and the rest of the Tiger the coaching staff was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division I Far West Region Staff of the Year. Five of Gow’s defensive players received all-conference honors in 2016, including Tristan Balckmon who was named a NSCAA All-American.
“I am very excited to join Coach Jorden and Coach [Jordan] Ferrell and the Pacific family,” Gow said. “What they have accomplished and established in just the first season of the program is remarkable. It is a huge honor to have the opportunity to be apart of something very special that is happening here at Pacific.”
Gow joins the Tigers from Virginia Tech, where he was an assistant coach working with the Hokies’ back line and goalkeepers. The Hokies posted their best season in 7 years and capped of the season by making it to the 2014 ACC tournament. Virginia Tech goalkeepers posted seven clean sheets on the season, and lead the ACC in saves.
Gow was also the Director of Operations and Youth Development for the New River United Soccer Association in Virginia where he oversaw over 20 competive teams and 30 coaches. Gow also coached a U16 boys team to a Virginia State semi-final appearance.
Prior to Virginia Tech, Gow spent two seasons as an assistant coach at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Kansas. Gow helped train the NAIA perennial power's goalkeepers while focusing on international and domestic recruiting, and opponent scouting. Over two years, MidAmerica Nazarene advanced to the Final Four and Elite Eight, with goalkeeper Chris Eriksson earning All-America honors in both seasons.
While coaching at MNU, Gow was one of the founding coaches and Director of Goalkeeping for Toca Futbol Club, a faith-based soccer club located in the Kansas City metro area.
Prior to coaching at MidAmerica Nazarene and Toca FC, Gow played for the Southern California Seahorses, a member of the Premier Developmental League. In college, he was a standout player for MidAmerica Nazarene as a four-year starter and two-year team captain. Gow helped lead the Pioneers to an appearance in the NAIA National Tournament in 2007 and a Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship in 2008.
A native of Lebanon, Missouri, Gow earned a bachelor’s degree in business marketing in 2011 and a master’s degree in organizational leadership in 2014.
