Matt Bessen is in his fourth season as an assistant coach for the UW-Eau Claire men’s basketball team this year. Bessen brings an extensive coaching resume, including six years as a head high school coach, five years as an assistant at the college level, and several stops coaching youth and club basketball and directing camps and clinics throughout the Midwest. Bessen also works as a Development Officer in the UW-Eau Claire Foudation office.

Most recently, Coach Bessen was the head boys coach at Chippewa Falls High School, leading the Cardinals to 8 wins in their final 10 games and a 12-12 season overall. During that season, the Cardinal defense held their opponents to under 40 percent from the field.

During his tenure as assistant men’s basketball coach and defensive coordinator at UW-Stout, the Blue Devils became one of the toughest defensive teams in the nation. In 2012-13, the team finished fourth in NCAA Division III scoring defense, allowing a stingy 56.2 points per game. That same year the Blue Devils held their opponents to 37.9 percent from the field, good for ninth in the nation. The Blue Devils spent time as national and conference leaders in both categories during Bessen’s watch.

Prior to coming to UW-Stout, Bessen served as the head girls basketball coach at Oshkosh North High School and St. Mary’s Springs High School. His St. Mary’s Springs team tied a school record for wins in a season and set a school record for wins during his four-year tenure.

Before assuming the head coaching duties at St. Mary's Springs, Bessen spent the 2003-04 season as an assistant coach with the UW-Oshkosh women's basketball program, helping the Titans become league co-champions. 

Bessen honed his coaching skills with sub-varsity positions in the Wakefield, Mich., St. Cloud, Minn., and Hurley, Wis., school districts. He has also coached summer AAU basketball with Higher Level Camps and  Wisconsin Playmakers. He has also coached and directed several camps and clinics throughout the Midwest.

Bessen holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Ohio University and a Bachelors in Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. He and his wife, Dana, reside in Eau Claire, along with their children, Elliott, Nolan, and Kendall.

Updated: 8/15/22