BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana head baseball coach Chris Lemonis has announced the addition of Matt Reida as an assistant coach. A Russiaville, Ind., native and an attendee of Western High School, Reida brings four years of Division I playing experience as a middle infielder at the University of Kentucky. Reida will work with IU’s infielders, hitters and baserunners.
“We are excited to add Matt to our staff,” said Lemonis. “I have known Matt from his high school career and watched him throughout college. He is a self-made player who competed at a high level for a good college program. He was a tough competitor who you respected from the other dugout. Also, I was impressed about how eager Matt was to get back into the college game.”
“I am very excited about joining the staff here at Indiana University,” said Reida. “Indiana baseball is a great program that has created a winning tradition. I consider myself very fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from Coach Lemonis, who has put together one of the best staffs in the country in Coach Cheesebrough and Coach Bunn.”
Reida comes to Indiana following a stint as the director of player development and recruiting for CageRat Baseball in Colorado Springs, Colo. The organization worked with youth baseball players in the Midwest region, helping them obtain college scholarships and ultimately reaching their goals of playing professionally. Reida’s responsibilities included athlete and camp recruitment, managing player development, organizing team travel and hiring coaches and camp staff.
During his career at Kentucky (2011-14), Reida made 199 career starts at the shortstop position, tying him for fifth in Wildcat history. He ended his career playing in 214 games overall, placing him fourth all-time at UK. Reida was on the Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Watch List and a three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree.
Following his career at UK, Reida began his professional career with the River City Rascals in the Frontier league before joining the Tampa Bay Rays organization in 2014.
Reida completed his education with a B.A. in Communications at UK in May 2014, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a 3.69 GPA. He has two siblings, brother Tad and sister Tiffany. Tad played baseball at Wichita State (2004-05) before joining the Hoosiers baseball program in 2006. He went on to earn his degree in Sport Management from IU in 2008. Tiffany was a basketball player at Indiana State.
