Coaching boys basketball at Ephrata is Matt Herbener’s dream job. He’s purple and gold all the way through.
Herbener is an alumnus, a third-grade teacher in the district and a former assistant. So when Ephrata, a team on the rise in the Lancaster-Lebanon League, went searching for someone to run the program, he was thrilled to be a candidate.
The 2013 grad was approved as varsity coach at a school board meeting Monday.
“It’s always something that in the back of my mind I knew would be an awesome thing to do,” Herbener said. “The timing wasn’t always right. It’s almost surreal that it’s happening. It all happened so quick that I’m coming down from the chaotic last couple of days.”
Ephrata finished 12-10 and in third place in Section Two last season. It was the Mountaineers’ second consecutive winning record under Scott Gaffey, who rebuilt the team from 0-22 in 2019-20 before resigning in February.
The talent is there to continue that success. Ephrata will return four starters: Marqus Hardin, Cayden Landis, Cooper Truskey and Brayden Brown, along with key reserves Landry Kopp, Ty Custer and Grayson Shellhammer.
Section Two will be challenging. Perennial champion Warwick will likely be the favorite with Garden Spot and Cocalico, which is moving up from Section Three, ready to contend. Ephrata should also be in the hunt.
“I think the team has the capability to compete for a section title,” Herbener said. “We have a lot of guys coming back. It’s a matter of, can we consistently compete against some of these top teams?”
Herbener was an assistant under Charlie Fisher at Ephrata and later Manheim Central for seven seasons. Herbener then headed to Twin Valley to become a varsity coach for the past two seasons.
That’s where Herbener planned to stay. Then the Ephrata job opened. It shortens his commute from Lancaster and allows him to coach at a place that’s special to him.
“I’ve been part of the community and my parents have been part of the community for the longest time,” Herbener said. “It does feel like coming home.”
Herbener played under Patrick Cristino and Jason Coletti, now Annville-Cleona’s coach, at Ephrata. The Mountaineers won nine games in Herbener’s final three seasons, so he knows first-hand how difficult it is to succeed there.
Continuity has been lacking at Ephrata. Only one coach, Dave Dubbs, has stayed for more than five seasons dating back to 1972. Only Dubbs and Bill Worley have winning records with the Mounts.
Herbener’s goal is to continue what Gaffey has built after this talented senior class departs. Herbener said this is where he wants to coach for the rest of his career.
“The past couple of seasons have really helped to build interest in the program,” Herbener said. “Ephrata has always had athletes. I really think the potential is there. It’s gonna be about getting them out to play basketball so we can have that sustained success.”
That’s the dream scenario for the coach who just landed his dream job.
MIKE GROSS | Sports Writer
