Hazard, Kentucky native Matt Hurt joined the Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball program as director of operations in the spring of 2024.
EKU broke 23 program records in 2025-26. Montavious Myrick, the Atlantic Sun Conference Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, was chosen third team All-ASUN. Myrick ranked third in the league in rebounding and 13th in blocked shots. Turner Buttry’s record setting free throw percentage (90.6) was the best in the ASUN and 10th in the nation.
EKU ranked seventh in the nation in 3-pointers made per game and ninth in 3-pointers attempted. The Colonels were first in the conference and 40th in the NCAA in offensive rebounds per game.
In 2024-25, Hurt helped the Colonels win 18 games and stay in the running for a second straight ASUN Conference Championship up until the final week of the season. An 8-game conference winning streak allowed the team to climb to the top of the league standings, beating eventual champion Lipscomb twice during that run.
Devontae Blanton earned first team All-ASUN honors in 2024-25. George Kimble III joined the program after one season in Division II and became a second team all-conference selection. Mayar Wol was chosen as the ASUN Sixth Man of the Year.
"Matt's transition to Richmond has been seamless,” EKU Head Coach A.W. Hamilton said. “As a Hazard native, as well as a major component to Hall to Fame coach Cliff Ellis' success at Coastal Carolina for over a decade, Matt has been a perfect fit into our basketball family."
Hurt returned to the Commonwealth after serving as the director of basketball operations at Coastal Carolina since 2012. He served in two additional roles with CCU as well – graduate assistant in 2010-11 and video coordinator in 2011-12.
At Coastal, Hurt coordinated all team travel, managed equipment and budget, served as the camp director and coordinated all recruiting travel.
As a member of the staff, Hurt helped the Chanticleers capture a Big South Conference regular season championship in 2010-11 and Big South Conference Tournament titles in 2014 and 2015. Coastal Carolina made an NIT appearance in 2011, CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT) appearances in 2012 and 2016, and College Basketball Invitational (CBI) appearances in 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
During the 2009-10 season, Hurt was an assistant coach at the University of Pikeville. He joined head coach Kelly Wells in leading the Bears to a 21-9 record.
Hurt earned a bachelor’s of arts degree in social studies education at Alice Lloyd College in 2007.
