EAU CLAIRE -- Matt Siverling's got a pretty big grin on his face right about now.
The University of Wisconsin-Superior coach was named the 10th men's basketball coach in UW-Eau Claire history Wednesday, allowing him to return to his alma mater and a city he loves.
"It feels great to get an opportunity to come home and coach at a school you attended and to coach in a city as great as Eau Claire," Siverling said Wednesday afternoon. "We're just really looking forward to the opportunity."
Siverling was picked from a field of four finalists that also included Edgewood College coach Todd Adrian, Milwaukee School of Engineering coach Brian Miller and Ashford University coach Oliver Drake.
He replaces Kyle Green, who resigned last month after one season as coach.
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Siverling, a Ladysmith native, spent the past two seasons as the head coach at UW-Superior, compiling a 29-24 overall record. He's 14-18 in WIAC play.
Prior to taking the reins of the Yellowjackets, he spent three years as a program specialist at Arkansas. And the three years before that, he was a Blugolds assistant on Terry Gibbons' staff.
His familiarity with the school and conference should serve him well as he makes the move down U.S. Highway 53 to take over as the head man at UW-Eau Claire.
"Obviously, there's a lot we need to do between now and the time the season starts," Siverling said. "Having a chance to scout Eau Claire and be familiar with the players definitely is going to help. Also knowing the rest of the league and what we're going up against is going to help as well."
Siverling will be introduced as Blugolds coach during a news conference at 3 p.m. Monday at the McPhee Center.
Siverling is married to wife Lori, a fellow UW-Eau Claire graduate. They have two daughters, 5-year-old Addison and 4-year-old Brayln. They're expecting a third child in the fall.
Siverling officially takes over as Blugolds coach on Aug. 20.
"While we had a strong pool of applicants and brought four very good finalists to campus, we feel that Matt is the best fit to successfully lead the Blugolds," UW-Eau Claire director of athletics Scott Kilgallon said in a release.
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A search for Siverling's replacement with the Yellowjackets has already begun, according to the UWS athletic department.
-- Copyright (c) 2012 the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram/Distributed by MCT Information Services
