JOLIET, Ill. – Boasting a proven track record of building high-achieving golf teams at the high school level, Matt Eber has been hired as the fourth head coach in the 47-year history of the University of St. Francis men's golf program, the school announced on Friday.  He replaces the retiring Paul Downey, who completed a successful 31-year run with the program this past season.

Eber will serve in a dual capacity on the links this year, completing his 21st season in the boys' program at Lockport Township High School this fall, while beginning his collegiate coaching career at St. Francis.  He is expected to retire from teaching and serving as the assistant director of athletics at Lockport following the completion of the 2026-27 academic year.

"We are eager to have Matt join our program," said USF director of athletics Dave Laketa.  "When the position opened, the first person that everyone recommended to me was Matt.  I am glad that we could make it work. 

"He's excited to join the program and the team is excited to have him aboard." 

Eber's first experience on the golf course as a coach came as an assistant at Morris Community High School for two seasons (1995, 1996).  He also delved into coaching baseball and basketball there, and baseball at Saratoga Junior High School and Plainfield North High School before returning to golf when he took on a teaching position at Lockport in 2005.  

After serving as the Porters' junior varsity coach from 2006-2011, Eber became the varsity head coach in 2012 and will enter his 15th season in that capacity this fall.

Over the past 14 years at the varsity level, Eber has led his teams to 18 invitational championships, seven Southwest Suburban Conference crowns, four IHSA regional titles and three IHSA sectional championships, and qualified for the IHSA state tournament on six occasions.  Three of those teams earned Top 10 finishes, with the 2018 squad placing third and the 2019 club sixth. 

In all, Eber-led varsity teams have gone 145-44 for a .767 winning percentage.  He has mentored four IHSA individual state qualifiers, including 2018 and 2019 individual state champion Ben Sluzas.

A member of the Illinois Coaches Association, Illinois Athletic Directors Association and National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, Eber has organized and instructed junior camps at Lockport since 2006.

"We are excited to see our program grow again under Matt's leadership," added Laketa.  "There are a lot of talented golfers in the area that, with his contacts, we feel confident that he can bring to St. Francis and develop into driven leaders both on and off the course."

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