Matt Parke took over as head coach of the Averett's men's basketball coach in May 2010 and is in the process of building the Cougars back into a contender.
Parke's program continued its upward trend in 2013-14, going 12-14 overall and 9-5 in the USA South Conference to finish second in the league. In each of his four seasons at the helm, the Cougars have improved their win total from one season to the next. His squads also have received the USA South Conference's Sportsmanship Award for men's basketball in 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 for their conduct on the court and their actions and service in the community.
In four seasons, Parke has coached seven USA South All-Conference selections, including First Team selection Justin Pierce, who finished fourth in the nation in scoring in 2012-13.
Parke became the Averett men’s basketball program’s eighth head coach prior to the 2010-11 season after serving as the associate head coach at Division III Guilford College for four seasons.
During his time as associate head coach, Guilford had a 104-19 record and made NCAA Tournament appearances all four years, including back-to-back Final Four appearances during his last two seasons there. Guilford compiled the most wins by any Division III school during that stretch and was nationally ranked in the top 25 polls in each of those seasons.
Prior to his most recent stint at Guilford, Parke was the Director of Basketball Operations at the University of Alabama from 2005-2006. He served as a graduate-assistant at the University of South Carolina from 2003-2005 and was on the coaching staff that helped guide the Gamecocks to the 2005 NIT championship. Parke began his college coaching career as an assistant coach at Guilford from 2001-2003. In addition, Parke has head coaching experience at Oak Ridge Military Academy (1999-2001) and Derby Academy (1997-1999).
A native of Bangor, Maine, Parke earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Colby College in 1997. He also received his master’s in business administration from South Carolina in 2005.
He is married to the former Elizabeth Dornbos and resides in Danville.
| MATT PARKE'S YEAR-BY-YEAR COACHING RESULTS |
| Season | Overall | USA South | Finish | Postseason |
| 2010-11 | 3-23 | 1-11 | 7th | USA South Conference Tournament Quarterfinals |
| 2011-12 | 7-19 | 2-10 | 6th | USA South Conference Tournament Quarterfinals |
| 2012-13 | 9-17 | 4-10 | 8th | USA South Conference Tournament Quarterfinals |
| 2013-14 | 12-14 | 9-5 | 2nd | USA South Conference Tournament Quarterfinals |
| Totals | 31-73
(.298) | 16-36
(.308) | | |
| COACHING HIGHLIGHTS |
| • 3 USA South Conference Men's Basketball Sportsmanship Awards |
| • 6 USA South All-Conference Selections |
| • Coached 2013-14 team to second place in the USA South Conference |
