Matthew Distler was named the second women's swimming head coach at Stonehill College in the program's young history in August 2022.

“We are thrilled to welcome Matthew Distler as the second head coach of our women’s swimming program during this exciting time for our College as it begins its transition to NCAA Division I,” said Dean O’Keefe, Vice President/Director of Athletics upon his hire. “Matthew brings the passion and energy that will be needed to elevate the women’s swimming program here at Stonehill, and will provide our student-athletes a mentor who will foster a culture of personal growth and development in the pursuit of academic and athletic excellence."

Distler joins Stonehill after three years as head men’s and women’s swimming coach at SUNY New Paltz, his alma mater. He guided the program during the COVID-19 pandemic, which cancelled the Hawks 2020-21 season, but led the women’s program to a 6-5 dual record over two seasons, placing fourth out of ten teams competing at the 2022 SUNY Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Championships after posting a 3-1 dual meet record. New Paltz finished third of nine at the 2020 SUNYAC Championships, while the men’s program was fourth in 2020 and third in 2022. Distler coached 11 All-SUNYAC performers over his two competitive seasons as head coach of the Hawks women’s program, while 11 men earned All-SUNYAC accolades over his two seasons, including first team honoree Jared Finn in 2020, winning the 200-yard freestyle.

Prior to taking over as head coach at SUNY New Paltz, he served two years as assistant coach. He helped the Hawks to a 4-2 record and fourth place finish at the SUNYAC Championships on the women’s side with six All-SUNYAC performers.

The Glens Falls, New York, native earned his Bachelor’s Degree from New Paltz in 2015. Distler attended SUNY Cortland from 2010-2013, where he was a SUNYAC Champion in the 200 freestyle, and the 200 and 800 freestyle relays in 2011. In his time at Cortland, he volunteered as a coach for the University's Adaptive Swim Team. As a swimmer at New Paltz, Distler was named team captain and MVP in his lone season with the Hawks.