University of West Florida

After five successful seasons as head coach of the men's cross country and track teams at UWF, Matt Dobson was promoted to full time head coach of both the men's and women's cross country and track programs in August 2005. Dobson has led UWF to a 275-61 (.818) overall record against NCAA Division II opponents. Last year he led the Argos to a 60-6 record. In 2002, his team was 86-24 (.782) against all competition, including NCAA Division I opponents. Dobson has coached an All-American, five All-South Region award winners, and 16 All-GSC selections. All Top 10 10K times have been set under Dobson[apos]s guidance, as well as seven of the top ten 8K times, and seven track records. As a performer, Dobson led the Argonauts to a birth in the NAIA National Championships in 1987 and 1988. He was the Argonauts' captain in 1988 and the first UWF runner in school history to participate in a sanctioned track and field meet in the spring of 1988. In the spring of 1989, Dobson transferred to Florida State University where he earned scholarships in both cross country and track and field. While at FSU, Dobson set many records in both sports; most notably, he is a member of the 1991 FSU track team that became NCAA Divsion I co-record holders for most consecutive conference track and field titles (15). Dobson was the 1991 Metro Conference 10,000-meter champion and is among the Top 13 all-time 10,000-meter runnners for FSU track and field. Coach Dobson remains competitive in world, national and local events. In 2001, he won the World Police and Fire Games 10,000 meters in Indianapolis, Indiana. He also became a national champion by winning the 2001 USA Track & Field Master's Championship (30-34 age group) in the 5,000 meters in Baton Rouge, La. Dobson showed his versatility in racing by completing his 8th marathon at the 2002 Boston Marathon where he finished 94th out of 17,000 competitors. In his 11th marathon, he finished third overall with a time of 2:30 at the 2003 Buffalo, N.Y. Marathon. His most recent major acheivement is a 49th place finish at the 2004 Boston Marathon with a time of 2:39:29. He became the first American winner of the 2004 Walt Disney World Marathon in Orlando. Also in 2004, the USA Track and Field Florida Association named him the Florida Long Distance Runner of the Year. Coach Dobson has won overall titles in 180 road races, track meets, and cross country meets in the last 15 years and holds over 33 course records throughout the southeast. His personal records include: 400 meters (:51), 800 meters (1:59), mile (4:13), 5K (14:24), 10K (29:31), marathon (2:27). Dobson[apos]s training philosophy is rooted and grounded in quality mileage, not quantity. He looks for self-discipline, determination, sacrifice, consistency and passion in a recruit. He believes these are the keys to becoming a successful student-athlete. The former Jay High School standout earned a B.S. degree in criminology from Florida State. Dobson also earned a Master[apos]s Degree from the University of West Florida in health, leisure and sports/physical education. He has two children, Anna Marie and David.