Matt Walters
Biloxi,MS
Summary
Dynamic Athletic Director with a proven track record at Gulfport School District (Gulfport, MS), leading teams to multiple state championships. Expert in athletic program development and scheduling coordination, fostering student-athlete welfare through innovative leadership initiatives. Recognized for creative vision and motivational skills, enhancing team culture and performance across diverse sports programs.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Athletic Director
Gulfport School District
06.2022 - Current
- State Championships
2025 Football (1st in School History)
2025 Boys Powerlifting
2025 Girls Powerlifting (1st in School History)
2024 Boys Powerlifting
2023 Boys Powerlifting
- Founded The Big Blue Foundation to support capital projects for Gulfport School District Athletics and boost individual teams.
- Created and led the Student Athlete Leadership Team (SALT), a structured leadership pipeline for student-athletes emphasizing character development, team culture, peer influence, and positive student-section leadership across all sports.
- Built UNIFORM as the instructional backbone of SALT, aligning leadership training, character development, and real-world application into a cohesive student-athlete leadership pipeline.
Athletic Director
Vancleave High School
08.2015 - 05.2022
- State Championships
2021 Volleyball
2020 Volleyball
2019 Volleyball
2019 Girls Golf (1st in School History)
2018 Volleyball
2018 Baseball (1st in School History)
2017 Volleyball (1st in School History)
- Clarion-Ledger All-Sports Top 5 Ranking in Class 4A – 2018, 2019, 2021
- Jackson County School District Athletic & Activities Annual Performance Award – 2018, 2019
Coach/Teacher
Lincoln Park Academy
08.2012 - 06.2015
Coach/Teacher
North Forrest High School
08.2011 - 05.2012
Coach/Teacher
Licking High School
08.2008 - 05.2011
Coach/Teacher
Miller High School
08.2003 - 05.2008
Coach/Teacher
Marion C. Early High School
08.2000 - 05.2003
- 2002 Baseball State Championship (1st in School History)
Education
Master of Science - Athletic Administration
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio, OH05-2015
Bachelor of Science - Physical Education
Southwest Baptist University
Bolivar, MO05-2002
Skills
- Scheduling coordination
- Facility management
- Creative vision
- Motivational skills
- Event management
- Compliance monitoring
- Athletic program development
- Staff recruiting
- Media relations
- Student-athlete welfare
Certification
- Certified Master Athletic Administrator (CMAA) through the National Athletic Administrator's Association (NIAAA)
- Mississippi Department of Education Certifications
Athletic Administration
Social Science
Physical Education
Health
- BLS
Timeline
Athletic Director
Gulfport School District
06.2022 - Current
Athletic Director
Vancleave High School
08.2015 - 05.2022
Coach/Teacher
Lincoln Park Academy
08.2012 - 06.2015
Coach/Teacher
North Forrest High School
08.2011 - 05.2012
Coach/Teacher
Licking High School
08.2008 - 05.2011
Coach/Teacher
Miller High School
08.2003 - 05.2008
Coach/Teacher
Marion C. Early High School
08.2000 - 05.2003
Master of Science - Athletic Administration
Ohio University
Bachelor of Science - Physical Education
Southwest Baptist University