Matt Bessen begins his fifth season as the top assistant to head coach Eddie Andrist, after starting with the Blue Devils during the 2009-10 season. He serves as the team's defensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator, and assists with all other aspects of the Blue Devil program.

Bessen brings an energy and enthusiasm that has helped the Blue Devils become one of the toughest defensive teams in the nation. In 2012-13, the team finished fourth in NCAA Division III scoring defense, allowing a stingy 56.2 points per game. That same year the Blue Devils held their opponents to 37.9 percent from the field, good for ninth in the nation. The Blue Devils spent time as national and conference leaders in both categories during Bessen’s watch.

“Coach Bessen is a valuable asset to our program, this department, and the university,” said Andrist. “He has been instrumental in the development of our program both in his coaching and recruiting and he is an exceptional mentor to our players.”

Prior to coming to UW-Stout, Bessen served as the head girls basketball coach at Oshkosh North High School and St. Mary’s Springs High School. His St. Mary’s Springs team tied a school record for wins in a season and set a school record for wins during his four year tenure.

Before assuming the head coaching duties at St. Mary's Springs, Bessen spent the 2003-04 season as an assistant coach with the UW-Oshkosh women's basketball program, helping the Titans become league co-champions. 

While at St. Mary's Springs, Bessen taught social studies and was an assistant track and field coach, working with both boys and girls, primarily with the middle distances and high jump. Bessen honed his coaching skills with sub-varsity positions in the Wakefield, Mich., St. Cloud, Minn., and Hurley, Wis., school districts. He has also coached summer AAU basketball programs as well as coaching and directing several camps and clinics throughout the Midwest.

In addition to his basketball duties, Bessen is a lecturer in the Physical Education and Coaching department, served on the Senate of Academic Staff, participates in various campus committees, and is active across campus.

Bessen holds a Master’s Degree in Athletic Administration from Ohio University and a Bachelors in Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. He and his wife, Dana, reside in Colfax, along with their children, Elliott, Nolan, and Kendall. Dana is a nurse practitioner for the UW-Stout Student Health Services.