Matthew Cribbin Named Head Coach of Holy Cross Volleyball
Matthew Cribbin has been appointed the next head coach of the Holy Cross volleyball program, as announced by Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Kit Hughes on Sunday, December 29. With an illustrious career that includes multiple Northeast-10 Coach of the Year titles and AVCA East Region Coach of the Year honors, Cribbin brings a wealth of experience and success to The Hill.
A Legacy of Excellence at AIC
Cribbin joins Holy Cross from American International College (AIC), where he built one of the most dominant Division II volleyball programs in the region. Over 13 seasons as head coach of the Yellow Jackets women’s volleyball team, he accumulated an impressive record of 238-142 (.626), including 110-48 (.696) in conference play. In 2021, he was promoted to Director of Volleyball as the institution added a men’s program under his guidance.
During his tenure, Cribbin led the Yellow Jackets to seven NCAA tournament appearances, including two NCAA East Region Championships, and secured three NE10 titles in both tournament and regular-season play. His teams have consistently demonstrated excellence, winning nearly 100 matches (96-28,.774) since 2021, with a dominant 41-5 (.891) record in conference play during that span.
Building Championship-Caliber Programs
“We could not be more excited to welcome Coach Cribbin to Holy Cross,” said Kit Hughes. “His track record of building winning programs with a strong team culture is unmatched. Throughout the hiring process, we were impressed by Matt’s dedication to fostering the holistic development of student-athletes and his enthusiasm for becoming a part of the Holy Cross community. We are thrilled to have him guide our talented student-athletes to new heights in the coming years.”
Cribbin’s players have excelled both on and off the court. He has coached:
- 13 AVCA All-Americans
- Six NE10 Players of the Year
- Two NE10 Defensive Players of the Year
- Two NE10 Rookies of the Year
- Two NE10 Setters of the Year
In total, his athletes have earned 52 NE10 All-Conference selections and 24 AVCA All-East Region honors. Additionally, 12 of his student-athletes have received Academic All-Conference accolades.
Vision for Holy Cross Volleyball
“First, I want to thank Kit Hughes, Amy Coleman, and the incredible staff at Holy Cross for entrusting me with this exciting opportunity,” said Matthew Cribbin. “The College of the Holy Cross and the Patriot League provide an unparalleled environment for exceptional students to thrive and become future leaders.
“Through my conversations, I’ve felt the passion and commitment to the future of Holy Cross Volleyball from every member of the community. I am humbled by this appointment and eager to elevate the program to new heights. Guided by a purpose-driven pursuit of excellence, I aim to make this program a beacon of resilience, courage, and pride for The Hill.”
Recent Milestones and Achievements
In 2024, Cribbin led AIC to its fourth consecutive NCAA regional appearance, clinching the team’s third NE10 title in four years. The Yellow Jackets recorded a 20-match win streak and finished an undefeated 10-0 in NE10 play. For his efforts, Cribbin earned both NE10 Coach of the Year and AVCA East Region Coach of the Year honours.
Other recent highlights include back-to-back NE10 titles in 2021 and 2022, with the 2022 team achieving a remarkable 30-win season. Cribbin also guided AIC to the NCAA quarterfinals in 2016 and 2018, securing East Region Championships in both years.
A Rising Star in Coaching
Before his success at AIC, Cribbin was the head coach at Sarah Lawrence College, where he was named HVWAC Coach of the Year three consecutive times (2008-2010). He led the team to a conference championship in 2010 and a runner-up finish in 2008. In recognition of his early career success, Cribbin was honoured with the AVCA 30 Under 30 Award, celebrating top young volleyball coaches across all levels.
A native of Madison, Connecticut, Cribbin earned his bachelor’s degree in sport management from the University of New England in 2008, where he also served as a student assistant coach for the women’s volleyball team and captain of the men’s club volleyball team.
With his proven leadership and championship pedigree, Cribbin is poised to lead Holy Cross volleyball into a new era of success.
