St. John Fisher University Athletics

Matt Cohen joined St. John Fisher University as its head men’s volleyball coach in January 2023 and has since turned the Cardinals’ program into one of the most consistent in the United Volleyball Conference and all of Division III. 

Over three seasons, Cohen has won more than 50 games, including a 24-8 mark in his first season, tied for the best single-season record in program history. The Cardinals made their second-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III Men’s Volleyball Championship that season.

Three Fisher players have earned American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American honors under Cohen. That group includes middle blocker Ian Rauh (2024), middle blocker Griffin Stella and outside hitter Josh Bigford, a four-time All-American. 

The Cardinals also have 13 All-Empire 8 selections (three first-team), six UVC selections (one first-team) and five AVCA All-Region selections under Cohen, who’s been named Empire 8 Coach of the Year twice. 

Trace La Robardiere was named Empire 8 Rookie of the Year in 2023 and won Libero of the Year in 2024. Sonepith Keoviengsamay (Co-Rookie) and Jake Baker (Co-Player) have also won E8 Player of the Year awards under Cohen’s leadership. 

Cohen joined the Cardinals after serving as the head coach of the women's volleyball team at Saint Johns River State College in Palatka, Florida. He was at the helm from 2013-15 and 2018-2022 and in that time, he collected a record of 162-98.

In 2021, Cohen was named Sun-Lakes Conference Coach of the Year after leading his team to the school's first ever conference championship. The Vikings went 17-1 in conference play and 31-5 overall.  Five of his players received All-Conference honors and one was named an All-American.

Cohen's teams have also excelled in the classroom earning the AVCA Academic Team Award in 7-of-8 seasons at SJR State. In addition to coaching the indoor team, Cohen was also the Head Beach Coach and Assistant Athletic Director.

Before SJR State College, Cohen was at Yavapai College in Prescott, AZ where he led the Roughriders to 124 wins in 6 seasons.  In his final year, the 'riders went 29-7.

In addition to coaching at the NJCAA level, Cohen has coached with some of the top boys club programs in the state of Florida - 352 Elite and Ocean Bay Volleyball, and Arizona – AZ Fear.

*Updated 1/31/2025