The former baseball coach who led the Golden Bears to unprecedented success returns home.

Matthew LaBranche returned to Western New England University in July to become the Director of Athletics, Recreational Sport, and Physical Education.

“I am thrilled to be returning home! It will be an honor to serve the University and its student-athletes as director,” said LaBranche, who was selected following a national search. “Western New England University is a special learning community—a place where all associated take special pride in what it means to be a Golden Bear. I am eager to reconnect with our student- athletes and coaches in order to learn from them how I can elevate their experience. The partnerships we can develop together both internally and externally will be vital to ensuring the continuation of Athletics’ service to the mission of the University.”

LaBranche is no stranger to Western New England, having served as baseball coach at the University for 14 seasons from 2000-13. He led the program to unprecedented success, winning nearly 70 percent of the games he coached with a 429-187 (.696) record. His teams captured nine conference championships (four GNAC, five CCC), reached the NCAA Division III Tournament on 10 occasions, and advanced all the way to the College World Series in 2011. LaBranche also served as coordinator of physical education for six years, and also held roles as instructor of health/physical education, compliance assistant, and contest manager. In 2013, LaBranche left Western New England to become head coach at Eastern Connecticut State University. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Springfield College.

In 19 years as a college head coach, he compiled 553 victories, 12 conference championships, 13 NCAA Tournament appearances, and numerous conference/regional coach-of-the-year accolades.