16 years of coaching experience College player at Craven Community College and East Carolina University Led teams to numerous playoff appearances and top-10 ranking in NC Dozens of players signed to college 7 Academy clients: MLS, NCFC, Wake FC Girls Academy, Atlanta United, and Charlotte FC 3 Pro clients: MLSPro, USL 2, Hondurian League 1 Fifa International client ID camp coordinator Bronze, Silver, and Gold medalist as Regional Head Coach Summer League coordinator 2008 Coastal 8 Coach of the Year 2012 Sun Journal Coach of the Year 2016 Congressional Art Award recipient 2019 & 2020 Knightdale High Teacher of the Year 2020 Wake County Teacher of the Year Finalist 2021 Willow Spring High Teacher of the Year 2021 4 C’s Grant Recipient
A dedicated and valuable member of Willow Spring Athletics, Tolbert Matthews coaches multiple sports for the Storm. He’s a Defensive Coordinator for the Football team, and Assistant Coach for both the Varsity Basketball Team & Track & Field athletic programs. Coach Matthews brings his extensive coaching background to SWSA to develop a top -level Strength & Athletic Training program.
Matthews joined the Willow Spring Athletics staff after 2 successful seasons with the East Wake Warriors, building them from a winless team to securing a playoff spot. Prior to the Warriors, Matthews held stints at several collegiate schools. Most recently, Matthews was the Quality Control Analyst for Division 1 William & Mary Football, working directly with current Defensive Coordinator, now Head Coach of North Carolina A&T Vincent Brown & Head Coach Mike London Sr.
Prior to William & Mary, Matthews served primarily as an Assistant Athletic Director for Football Operations and Compliance. Matthews also served as Co- Defensive Coordinator/Linebacker coach at Virginia University of Lynchburg (2018-19). Prior to VUL, Tolbert served stints at North Carolina State University and Duke University in multiple positions within the athletic department (2014- 17). During this time, Tolbert was a Physical Education teacher serving the Wake County Public School System (2014-18).
A Norfolk, Virginia native, Tolbert was a four-sport athlete at Norview High School. He graduated from Elizabeth City State University with a BA in Physical Education and obtained his Master’s Degree in Sports Management from Liberty University.
