Matt Logie has been on the Lehigh staff for the past eight years after a successful career there as well. Lehigh athletics photo

A broad background in basketball coaching experience and deep roots in the Northwest has led Whitworth to select Matt Logie to be its next head men’s basketball coach, according to athletic director Warren Friedrichs. Logie, who has served as associate head coach at Lehigh for the past two seasons, replaces Jim Hayford, who was hired at Division I Eastern Washington following a highly successful 10 years leading the Pirates. 

“Matt is a terrific fit for Whitworth,” Friedrichs said. “He exemplifies our mission as a Christian university and he understands our high academic standards. Matt impressed us through every step in our search process.”

“Having the opportunity to lead a championship caliber basketball program has been a lifelong dream of mine,” Logie said. “To be blessed to have that opportunity at one of the finest academic institutions in the Northwest and on the west coast makes it even more special. Whitworth combines the highest quality of experiences for its student-athletes, academically and athletically, and with that comes the opportunity to coach and develop relationships with some very special young men.”

Whitworth returns two starters and several other key reserves from the 2010-11 team that finished 28-2, setting school records for most victories in a season and best single-season winning percentage (.933). Whitworth reached No. 1 in the D3hoops.com poll and advanced to the NCAA Division III Elite Eight.

Felix Friedt, a 6-8 junior post, and Wade Gebbers, a sophomore point guard, will be returning starters next season. Jack Loofburrow, a 6-7 junior forward, and junior off-guard Chase Ramey were the top players off of the bench for the Bucs this winter. Whitworth will have to overcome the graduation of D3hoops.com Player of the Year Michael Taylor, David Riley – the fourth leading scorer in Pirate history, and Clay Gebbers – regarded as the best on-ball defender in the Northwest Conference, this season.

“We have a group of young men who have banded together during this transition as a family and set themselves on a path towards continued success,” Logie said. “I know that a lot of work is ahead of us, but I can’t wait to get down to business and I know our players feel exactly the same way.”

Logie anticipates a successful transition.“At the end of the day, whether it is at the Division I level or the Division III level, in order to thrive at a place like Whitworth, we must identify and recruit young men who possess our same values,” he said. “We will identify and pursue young men of character, students who strive to reach their potential and athletes who can compete at the highest of levels. The relationships that I’ve established, both during my time at the Division I level but even dating back to my time growing up in the basketball community here in the Northwest, will only continue to grow from this opportunity.”

Logie grew up surrounded by the game of basketball as the grandson of Mercer Island High School head coach Ed Pepple. Pepple, a legend in Washington’s high school ranks, won 952 games and four state championships in 49 years as a head coach, 42 of which came at Mercer Island. Logie was part of two state championships while playing for his grandfather from 1997-99. He earned First Team All-State as a senior while leading the Islanders to a 27-3 record and a state 3A championship in 1999.

“My grandpa has helped to shape the way I see the game, the way I deal with players and so much more,” Logie said. “One of the most lasting impressions however was in how he was able to create an environment around his program that built confidence and developed the student-athletes. To see the impact of those relationships and to have people come back and say that being a part of the Whitworth basketball family was a big reason for their success in the future is my ultimate goal and what I take away most from his mentorship.”

His Northwest connections have allowed him to successfully recruit seven players from the region to play at Lehigh, including some who earned All-Patriot League honors. Most recently was Marquis Hall (Jefferson HS, Portland, Ore.), who earned All-Patriot League three years in a row (2008-10) and twice was selected as the Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Logie will begin Whitworth responsibilities immediately and will make the move full-time to Spokane with his wife, Julia, and their baby daughter, Addison, at the beginning of July.