William Woods University Men's Lacrosse

Coach Matlock enters his third season as head coach of the WWU men's lacrosse team. Career Has an overall coaching record of 50-48 Coached 8 NAIA All-Americans William Woods Guided WWU to a 5-8 overall and 5-4 Heart record in 2025, its inaugural season Saw the Owls go 7-9 with a 6-3 Heart record in 2026 Has one Heart Offensive Player of the Year Has three All-Heart honorees Ottawa Named KCAC Coach of the Year in 2023 Led OU to two (2019, 2023) KCAC Championships Coached 30 All-KCAC performers Had two players named KCAC Offensive Player of the Year Matlock was the head coach at Blue Valley West High School (BVWHS) in Overland Park, Kan. While at BVWHS, he led the Jaguars to three consecutive LAKC State playoffs, finishing second in 2016. Under Matlock’s leadership, three players were academic All-American nominees, two were All-American nominees and two players were named All-Metro. In 2015 and 2016, he had 92 percent of his graduating seniors move on to play college lacrosse. BVHS was also nationally ranked on the FOGO (Face-Off, Get Off) Ratings. Matlock also coached the 2019-2020 Team Fountain City Lacrosse Club and he was the Assistant Director for KC Heartland Lacrosse during his time at BVWHS. Prior to that, Matlock was the assistant varsity and defensive coach at BVWHS. He was an assistant coach at Marquette High School in Chesterfield, Mo., from June 2009 to June 2011. Matlock was also an assistant coach with Chaminade College Prep in Creve Coeur, Mo., and head women’s coach at Parkway South High School in Manchester, Mo. While at PSHS, led the team to the program’s first MSLA playoff in school history. Matlock graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. He also attended the University of Central Missouri where he was a member of the executive board for Sigma Nu Fraternity. Matlock played in the St. Louis Men’s Lacrosse League (STLMLL) during summer breaks. Matlock was a three-year member of the men’s lacrosse team at Parkway South High School (PSHS) in St. Louis, Mo, where he helped lead PSHS to the school’s first state playoff appearance and the program’s second winning season. Matlock earned All-Conference honors and was voted to the MSLA All-Star Game.

Connor Hess was named the head coach of William Woods Outdoor Life Sports (OLS) teams, archery and shotgun sports, in June 2025.  A native of California, Missouri, Hess joined WWU's OLS program last year after competing in his first two collegiate seasons at State Fair Community College (2022-24) in Sedalia, and high school for two years with California FFA (2020-22) in California. While competing for the Owls last year, Hess served as team captain, placing third in high-overall team at ACUI National Shoot 2024 and earned multiple individual podium finishes in various high-level competitions. While at State Fair, Hess achieved a second-place team finish in skeet at the NCSSAA National Shoot in 2023. Before his decorated college career, Hess succeeded in high school with California, quickly advancing to state and national competitions while training extensively on his own.  Coaching skills and strengths Hess brings to William Woods include developing and mentoring new athletes in shotgun sports and archery; strong leadership and team-building abilities; effective communication with the ability to motivate and guide athletes and hands-on experience in competition strategy and skill development.

2025 Heart Assistant Coach of the Year