By Cheryl Patrick Staff Writer
HAMLET — Matthew Richie was named the new varsity boys basketball head coach at Oregon-Davis High School — an honor that Richie turned to God and family for guidance in making a decision.
“When I was approached about the Oregon-Davis coaching position I was honored," Richie said. "We did a lot of thinking and praying about this opportunity. After relocating the number of times our family has had to, we weren’t sure if we should move our family again. After talking it over with our children, we came to the conclusion that this was best for all of us.”

Richie is a 1985 graduate of Anderson Highland High School. Nearly 20 years after graduation, Richie enrolled at Ancilla College and began course studies in elementary education, graduating with an associate in elementary education in 2003. After obtaining his associate degree, Richie went on to complete his bachelor’s degree, also in elementary education, at Valparaiso University.
Basketball has always been a part of Richie’s life — and coaching is the realization of a goal he has always longed to accomplish.
“I returned to college because my dream was to teach and coach. I’ve been around basketball my entire life. I love the game and have always wanted to coach,” Richie said.
While teaching and coaching has been a lifetime aspiration of Richie’s, his career choice was inspired by more than just love for the sport.
“My brother Adrian is who most inspired me to become a teacher and a coach. Had he not gone on to college after high school, I don’t know if any of the rest of us would have,” he said.
Richie has held several positions as an elementary school teacher/coach since graduating from Valparaiso University in 2005 — opportunities that have enriched his professional life in many ways.
“What I enjoyed most at Tippecanoe Valley is what I’ve enjoyed everywhere, working with the kids," Richie said. "I coached under one of the greatest coaches this state has ever seen, Bill Patrick. Observing Bill coach up close taught me to be more disciplined in my own life as well as on the court.”
On one occasion, Richie gained insight as a coach from a close family member.
“At Eastern, I coached fifth grade basketball and was the assistant varsity basketball coach. I was a coach under my brother Keith. I have followed his coaching career for many years. Although we are brothers, we have had different coaching philosophies and it was great to pick up on some of the things he does,” he said.
Richie experiences many of the same rewards both in the classroom and on the court.
“The most rewarding part of coaching, as with teaching, is to see that students who previously struggled at something finally figure it out," Richie said.
"It excites me every time this happens. I feel so good for the children. And trying to get the kids to not give up on themselves when times get tough is also challenging in both coaching and teaching,” he said.
Athletics not only plays a large role in Richie’s professional career, but is a major part of his personal life too. As the father of five extremely athletic children, there’s never a dull moment at work or at home.
“Matthew is 17 and will be a junior this year," he said. "He played varsity basketball at Eastern High School last year. He started every game. He led the team in assists and steals and was the second highest scorer and rebounder. He is a very good basketball player. He also high jumped for the varsity track team.
 “Zachary is 15 and will be a freshman. He started all the games at the eighth grade level this past year. He is a very good ball player too.
“Elizabeth is 14 and will also be a freshman. She plays basketball also as well as volleyball. She is very athletic and has always been strong in both sports.
“Nathan is 12 and will be a sixth grader. He too plays basketball and is very good for his age.
“Molly is 10 and will be a fifth grader. She loves gymnastics and cheerleading.”
Richie’s wife, Suzette, will also be joining Oregon-Davis  as a seventh and eighth-grade math teacher.