Cal Basketball: One-Time Mike Montgomery Aide Joins Mark Madsen's Staff
Matt Scherbenske, who spent three seasons in various roles on the staff of former Cal coach Mike Montgomery, has been hired as part of Mark Madsen’s coaching staff at Cal, the school announced Monday.
Scherbenske spent the past two seasons as recruiting coordinator at Texas Tech but will take on a full-time coaching assignment at Cal.
"I'm elated and thankful to return to Cal and help Coach Madsen lead this program back to its winning ways," Scherbenske said in a statement released by Cal. "I first came to Berkeley more than 10 years ago and saw firsthand what it takes to make this program great. I'm excited to work alongside Coach Madsen and lead Cal men's basketball into a new era."
Madsen noted Scherbekse's recruiting skills.
"Matt was instrumental in the roster-building success at Texas Tech the past two seasons and is a workhorse on the recruiting trails," Madsen said in a statement. "He knows what success at Cal looks like with his previous experience on Mike Montgomery's staff and he'll make an immediate high-level impact on our program and our student-athletes. I'm excited to have Matt wearing the Blue and Gold once again."
Jon Rothstein first reported the news, which was celebrated on social media by Cal recruit Fardaws Aimaq, who played for Madsen at Utah Valley before spending last season at Texas Tech.
He became the second staff hire by Madsen, who earlier this week announced that former Vanderbilt assistant Adam Mazarei will be the Bears’ associate head coach.
However, Madsen also will reportedly hire Loyola Chicago assistant coach Amorrow Morgan to his Cal coaching staff. Ken Moses and Jarred Jackson, both of whom were on Madsen's staff at Utah Valley, also reportedly will join the Golden Bears' coaching staff.
Scherbenske, 35, spent the 2011-12 season in an administrative role at Cal then was Montgomery’s video coordinator the next two seasons. The Bears’ rosters those seasons included Allen Crabbe, Tyrone Wallace and Justin Cobbs.
Prior to being at Texas Tech last season, Scherbenske spent six seasons on the staff at Central Arkansas. Under coach Russ Pennell, he helped the Southland Conference team win a program-record 18 games in 2017-18.
Scherbenske played high school ball at powerhouse Oak Hill Academy, under Hall of Fame coach Steve Smith, where his teammates included .Nolan Smith, Ty Lawson and Michael Beasley. Oak Hill was 40-1 and ranked No. 2 in the nation during Scherbenske’s senior season, in which he shot 48 percent from the 3-point arc.
He then played one season at Oral Roberts before transferring to Kentucky, where he was scoreless in three games during the 2007-08 season.
Scherbenske then served an internship with NBA skill trainers Mike Procopio and Tim Grover, and got the chance to help work out NBA players such as Kevin Durant, Dwyane Wade, Anthony Davis, and Gilbert Arenas.
He was head coach at Christ Prep Academy (2010-2011) in Lenexa, Kansas, directing his team to a regional championship.
Cover photo of Matt Scherbenske by Mark J. Rebilias, USA Today
Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo
