Matt Daley to lead Trojans men's basketball into 2023/24 season

CALGARY, ALTA (March 14, 2023) – Matt Daley has been named the new head coach of the SAIT Trojans men's basketball team.

The SAIT Athletics and Recreation Department announced today that the former U Sports player and coach will be taking over the reins of the Trojans men's basketball team after serving as one of the team's assistant coaches for the past two seasons – helping them to two Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) titles (2022, 2023) and one Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) national title (2023).

Daley will take over for former head coach Marty Birky, who stepped down from the role after leading the program for the previous eight seasons.

"I realize that by accepting this role I am being asked to fill some pretty big shoes that Marty left behind with six straight ACAC titles and the CCAA national title we just captured this year," Daley said. "My two seasons under him have been very educational and feel like they have helped prepare me for this opportunity. I am excited to be a part of not only the basketball program here at SAIT, but the entire institution and athletic department as well."

As a student-athlete, Daley played five seasons with the University of New Brunswick (UNB) Reds (2012-16) - leading the nation in assists in his final campaign. He was named a 2-time U Sports Academic All-Canadian (2014, 2016) and an Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Conference All-Star (2016). 

He then joined the Reds coaching staff following his graduation with a Bachelor Degree in Recreation & Sports Studies and a Bachelor of Education - eventually holding the roles of assistant coach, associate head coach and interim head coach between 2017-2021.

Daley moved to Calgary in 2021 and quickly joined the coaching staff at Edge School for Athletics. At Edge, he became the male varsity head coach, along with working as the senior prep head coach and national prep head coach. Matt has also worked as a head coach with Calgary's Genesis Basketball over the past two years. During this time Daley complete his Masters of Education in Coaching Studies at University of Victoria.

"As a coach, I believe in building healthy relationships with athletes through honesty and trust," said Daley, who was an integral part of SAIT's Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) national title win in March. "I work to challenge athletes to strive to be better every day, and encourage them to become the best version of themselves on and off the court".