ALBANY, N.Y. - The University at Albany and Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Roberto Vives announced today that cross country head coach Matt Jones has chosen to retire ahead of the 2026-27 season.
 
"It has been a pleasure working alongside Matt for the past 19 years," said Director Vives. "He has played a major role in building our winning culture and has significantly contributed to the record number of championships that we have won throughout the years. He truly cared for each and every one of the student-athletes that he coached and encouraged them to be their very best both academically and athletically. I wish him the very best in retirement."
 
In addition to his responsibilities as the head coach of cross country, Jones served as the mid-distance and distance coach, developing both individual athletes and relay teams for the 4x800m and the distance medley relays. Since his start in 2007, Jones has coached countless champions throughout the cross country, indoor, and outdoor track and field seasons. 
 
Arguably his best student-athlete, Hannah Reinhardt, a 2020 graduate, was inducted into the UAlbany Hall of Fame just last fall (2025). She became UAlbany's first cross country individual champion in 2018 and went back-to-back with an additional title in 2019. A three-time USTFCCCA All-Region honoree in cross country, Reinhardt won the 2019 Northeast Cross Country Regional Championship and was named the USTFCCCA Northeast XC Athlete of the Year.
 
In addition to his cross country athletes, Jones has coached countless champions - both individual and relay - across his 19 years with the track and field teams. In 2008-09, the UAlbany middle distance group had its most prolific year with school records in seven of the 16 events he oversaw. That prowess continued and he was named the USTFCCCA's 2010 Division I Indoor Track Northeast Region Men's Assistant Track Coach of the Year after claiming both the America East and IC4A team champion titles. 
 
In the last 19 years, Jones has coached 181 of the 240 student-athletes among the program's top 10 of his 16 events (24 when divided among indoor and outdoor). His athletes hold 20 of the 24 program records, 17 of 24 freshman records, and three America East Championship meet records - men's outdoor 800m (Hassan Abidi 2025), men's indoor DMR (2009), and men's indoor 4x800m (2026). Of his athletes' top 10 marks and records, 19 marks were recorded during the 2025-26 season, including three records and one freshman record. 
 
Jones not only made a lasting impact on the team and its success but also served as a mentor to his student-athletes. Hear from them below:
 
"Coach Jones, I want to say that I am so grateful for having you as a coach. Before you, I knew only running hard and slow. With you, I learned the importance of recovery and different paces in training (tempos being the bread and butter of training). You took me to the next level in the sport and motivated me to keep going. I really enjoyed every single one of the conversations we had about training, running plans, and just life. My best wishes to you on your retirement! You are the man!!!" - Dr. Ricardo Estremera, 2009
 
"I had the privilege of running under Coach Jones at the University at Albany, and it was an incredible experience. He put so much thought and care into every aspect of our training, even taking the time to create individualized training plans for each athlete. It was obvious to anyone who ran for him how deeply he loved coaching and how invested he was in helping us succeed. He believed in me before I believed in myself. I'll always be grateful for everything he did for me, and I can't thank him enough. Congratulations on an amazing career." - Dr. Kathryn Fanning, 2014
 
"As an international student-athlete, my landing at UAlbany came with its challenges. Coach Jones was there for me from the very first moment, when I stepped out of an Adirondack Trailways bus at Collins Circle for my campus visit. He was the sturdy column of my time in the XC and Track teams – the guiding figure that arrived at practice before anyone else, always; gave 10-minute speeches pre-practice that were both professional and hilarious; believed that a 35-degree, rainy day was the perfect weather for a tempo run; but also believed in us, and in me, more than we did. Coach Jones was motivating, funny and a true professional. I am grateful that our paths crossed and of all he had taught me. Congratulations on your retirement, Coach!" - Silvia DelFava, 2014
 
"He saw something in each athlete he coached and was always enthusiastic no matter the talent level. He helped me set my goals high and would always tell me to never be content with my performance; there is always room for improvement. Even after a win, a PR, or school record. He came to every practice and meet with energy, expectations, and a quote … if it was practice, it was "help me help you". If it was a meet, it was "kick the tires and light the fire" or "spit nails; chew barbed wire". He was a great coach that helped shaped me into the man I am." - Ryan Udvadia, 2018
 
"Coach Jones - Thank you simply won't suffice. Your presence and mentorship means the world to me (and so many others). If it weren't for you giving me a chance and allowing me to dream big dreams, I truly think my life would've been a whole lot duller. 
 
"You always had the instinctual knowing of seeing the potential in your athletes (much earlier than they ever saw it for themselves). You really, truly embodied the, "help me, help you" coaching philosophy - meeting your athletes as human beings first and foremost. You cared about us more than just athletes and took the time to listen and to adjust training for each individual. You built a true coaching rapport. One that required attention to detail, listening, and reciprocal pull and push from coach and athlete. 
 
"That's why it was so easy to buy in and to work hard. I trusted the training, but more than anything I trusted you. You enabled me to grow into a powerful athlete, but even greater than that, a powerful woman. I learned to trust in myself, to dig deep, and to work diligently. It was never just about the gold or the glory, it was about meeting that potential that you always saw in me. 
 
So as you step into this next (well deserved) phase of life - I hope you take pride in all you've accomplished, but more than anything the young lives that you have changed. Thank you for helping us to see the greatest version of ourselves, for the laughs, for fun, and for the mentorship. You're simply the best of the best! ??" - Hannah Reinhardt, 2020, UAlbany Hall of Fame Member
 
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