Matt Jabs Named ECU Head Swimming And Diving Coach
May 31, 2017 | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving, Swimming & Diving
GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina University letterman and longtime assistant coach Matthew Jabs has been named the Pirates' head swimming and diving coach, announced ECU Director of Athletics Jeff Compher Wednesday.
Jabs will officially take over for legendary coach Rick Kobe, who is retiring after 37 years, on July 1, 2017.
"I am extremely excited that Matt Jabs will be the next head swimming and diving coach for our women's and men's programs," Compher said. "Matt has been a part of our program for many years, both as a student-athlete and as an assistant coach. He understands the outstanding competitive and academic history that has been a part of our programs. I am confident that under his leadership these traditions of excellence will continue as he builds his own legacy."
Jabs has been an assistant coach of the combined men and women's program at ECU since completing his bachelor degree requirements in 2001. He began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant coach initially before becoming a graduate assistant coach. He was promoted to a full-time assistant coach in 2003. He spent nine seasons as a full-time assistant with the Pirates, including eight as the program's lead assistant before being elevated to associate head coach in 2013. During that time the Pirates captured three men's American Athletic Conference titles in 2015, 2016 and 2017, while the women won a pair of league championships in 2001 (ECAC) and 2003 (Conference USA).
As a member of the coaching staff in 2013-14, Jabs helped the women's squad post the only undefeated regular season by an ECU female athletic program in school history. Neither the men nor women's teams experienced a losing dual meet campaign during Jabs' tenure.
"I would like to thank Jeff Compher for this opportunity," Jabs said. "I'm also grateful to (associate director of athletics) Lee Workman, the search committee and all those involved in this process for their belief in me. I must also thank Rick Kobe for not only what he has done for the program, but for me personally and professionally. I am thankful to have had the chance to learn from one of the best. He undoubtedly leaves big shoes to fill, but I'm confident in my ability to lead the program into the future.
"My first goal is to be better than we have been, which will require a lot of hard work from myself, my staff and our team. The ECU Swimming and Diving program has never backed down from a challenge, nor have we ever been satisfied with our accomplishments. We will always work to improve upon our past and strive for sustained excellence."
A four-year letterman and two-time recipient of the Pirates' Most Outstanding Male Swimmer Award, Jabs has coached multiple NCAA Championship meet participants and individual conference champions. In addition, the athletes he has mentored have posted 196 ECU top-10 career performances and accounted for 35 records. His swimmers have also been the recipients of ECU's Most Outstanding Swimmer Award seven times and its Most Improved Swimmer Award eight times.
"An absolute perfect hire," Kobe said. "Pirates swimming and diving is in great hands. I couldn't be more pleased. Matt is one of the most respected coaches in the country and will take the program to even greater heights."
Jabs worked as an assistant coach with the developmental group of the Greenville Swim Club during the 2003-04 season and served as an activity instructor in the ECU Department of Exercise and Sports Science for six years.
Jabs graduated from East Carolina University in 2001 with a degree in exercise and sports science with a minor in recreation and leisure studies, and earned his master's in athletic and physical education administration two years later.
Jabs will officially take over for legendary coach Rick Kobe, who is retiring after 37 years, on July 1, 2017.
"I am extremely excited that Matt Jabs will be the next head swimming and diving coach for our women's and men's programs," Compher said. "Matt has been a part of our program for many years, both as a student-athlete and as an assistant coach. He understands the outstanding competitive and academic history that has been a part of our programs. I am confident that under his leadership these traditions of excellence will continue as he builds his own legacy."
Jabs has been an assistant coach of the combined men and women's program at ECU since completing his bachelor degree requirements in 2001. He began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant coach initially before becoming a graduate assistant coach. He was promoted to a full-time assistant coach in 2003. He spent nine seasons as a full-time assistant with the Pirates, including eight as the program's lead assistant before being elevated to associate head coach in 2013. During that time the Pirates captured three men's American Athletic Conference titles in 2015, 2016 and 2017, while the women won a pair of league championships in 2001 (ECAC) and 2003 (Conference USA).
As a member of the coaching staff in 2013-14, Jabs helped the women's squad post the only undefeated regular season by an ECU female athletic program in school history. Neither the men nor women's teams experienced a losing dual meet campaign during Jabs' tenure.
"I would like to thank Jeff Compher for this opportunity," Jabs said. "I'm also grateful to (associate director of athletics) Lee Workman, the search committee and all those involved in this process for their belief in me. I must also thank Rick Kobe for not only what he has done for the program, but for me personally and professionally. I am thankful to have had the chance to learn from one of the best. He undoubtedly leaves big shoes to fill, but I'm confident in my ability to lead the program into the future.
"My first goal is to be better than we have been, which will require a lot of hard work from myself, my staff and our team. The ECU Swimming and Diving program has never backed down from a challenge, nor have we ever been satisfied with our accomplishments. We will always work to improve upon our past and strive for sustained excellence."
A four-year letterman and two-time recipient of the Pirates' Most Outstanding Male Swimmer Award, Jabs has coached multiple NCAA Championship meet participants and individual conference champions. In addition, the athletes he has mentored have posted 196 ECU top-10 career performances and accounted for 35 records. His swimmers have also been the recipients of ECU's Most Outstanding Swimmer Award seven times and its Most Improved Swimmer Award eight times.
"An absolute perfect hire," Kobe said. "Pirates swimming and diving is in great hands. I couldn't be more pleased. Matt is one of the most respected coaches in the country and will take the program to even greater heights."
Jabs worked as an assistant coach with the developmental group of the Greenville Swim Club during the 2003-04 season and served as an activity instructor in the ECU Department of Exercise and Sports Science for six years.
Jabs graduated from East Carolina University in 2001 with a degree in exercise and sports science with a minor in recreation and leisure studies, and earned his master's in athletic and physical education administration two years later.
What Others Are Saying About Matt Jabs
"I had the honor and the privilege to coach Matt early in my career at East Carolina. He was an athlete that helped me to become a better coach. Matt is the perfect choice to lead the Pirate program forward in the Post-Rick Kobe era. Matt will continue to instill the success that has made us proud to be Pirates and at the same time bring a new approach to the program that promises to take it to new heights. Matt has been loyal to East Carolina for more than 20 years. He is the right man for the job! He knows the program and the expectation. Great hire for the Pirates!!!!" – University of South Carolina Head Swimming and Diving Coach McGee Moody (ECU, 1998)
"Matt Jabs has dedicated his professional career to East Carolina University. It is great to see his loyalty rewarded by being named the next head coach. Matt and his staff will do an excellent job leading of leading and carrying the tradition of the ECU swimming and diving program." – Bill Roberts, U.S. Naval Academy Head Swimming and Diving Coach
"I am very excited and happy for Matt Jabs. His loyalty and dedication to ECU and is the swimming and diving program is impressive. He will do a great job leading his programs to more championships." – ECU Head Women's Golf Coach Kevin Williams, member of the search committee
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