After spending five years on the Otterbein men’s basketball staff, Matt Winters has assumed a new role as the head coach for the boys basketball team at Big Walnut High School. This appointment follows the departure of Brett Bartlett, who resigned from the position after nearly nine seasons due to personal reasons.
With a successful tenure at Otterbein, where he served as the lead assistant and was later promoted to associate head coach, Winters is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to lead his own team. He met with the Big Walnut team on Wednesday, marking the commencement of this new chapter in his coaching career.
Despite his emotional attachment to Otterbein, where his brother Andy Winters serves as the head coach, Matt believes that the close-knit community at Big Walnut offers a unique opportunity for him to make an impact. His decision to transition from college coaching to this position signifies the potential he sees in the school’s athletic program and the community as a whole.
Prior to his time at Otterbein, Winters accumulated experience as an assistant at various institutions, including Ohio Northern, Rhodes College, and Denison. He also has a background in high school coaching, having spent three seasons at Hartley. His diverse experience and dedication to the sport position him well for his new role at Big Walnut.
A graduate of Watterson, where he played under the guidance of coach Vince Lombardo, Winters holds his former coach in high regard and views him as a mentor. Drawing from Lombardo’s extensive experience, Winters aims to bring a fresh and impactful approach to his coaching style at the high school level.
Looking ahead, Winters is focused on cultivating strong relationships with his players and instilling a sense of stability within the program. He recognizes the significance of establishing a culture of mutual respect and is eager to develop his own coaching identity from the ground up, starting from the primary grades all the way to the high school level.
Big Walnut’s athletic director, Brian Shelton, expressed his enthusiasm for Winters’ appointment, emphasizing the coach’s ability to form meaningful connections with the student-athletes. This sentiment aligns with Winters’ vision of fostering growth and success among the players under his guidance.
Having achieved a successful season with Otterbein, Winters aims to bring the same level of determination and leadership to the Big Walnut boys basketball team. His track record and passion for the sport position him as a valuable asset to the program, and the community is eagerly anticipating the positive impact he will bring to the team.