CONEY ISLAND — Victoria – thank-you for your service. Everyday.
Victoria Matos is the boys’ basketball coach at Abraham Lincoln High School. She knows the rules. She knows discipline. She commands respect.
She served.
“I joined the Air Force after I graduated FDR High School,” the six-year coach of the Railsplitters told the Eagle. “I needed structure. Discipline.
“In short, I just didn’t know what I wanted to do.”
What she did was represent our country – and saw military action with the Army in Kuwait.
Heck, coaching basketball is a breeze after that.
“I played in high school,” she said, “And after my military service I attended Brooklyn College —earned my degree in Physical Education and an MA in Sports Managing.”
She now knew exactly what she wanted – to coach basketball. And after graduation she got her shot as a girls’ assistant coach at Brooklyn’s Charter — Brooklyn Prospect.
“The following season, the boys’ coaching position opened, I got it,” she said. “And stayed for seven seasons.”
She says she never faced any real challenges as a boys coach. The Lincoln position opened in 2020 – and for now, that has been home.
Matos joins Ruth Lovelace – “Coach Love” – who became the first woman to coach a boys’ varsity team in the New York City Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) in 1994.
She led her team to three consecutive PSAL City Championships – from 2009 to 2012 – and the school’s first-ever PSAL State Federation Championship in 2012.
Jennifer Agosto, a former collegiate standout at Hunter College, is the head coach of the boys’ team at New Utrecht High School, and led the Utes to a 12-2 record last season and a PSAL Sweet 16 berth.
As for Matos, she won a City Championship in 2017 at Brooklyn Prospect.
“I don’t think about coaching the boys,” she admits, “Coaching is coaching.”
Yet, she says her first season was challenging. “Lincoln has a prestigious basketball history,” she said. “People were questioning who I was and where I came from.”
Her record – two wins – one each in the first two seasons, may have led to more scrutiny. Her Railsplitters have won four of their first 10 thus far this season.
“Actually,” she paused, “The boys aren’t that much different from the girls. I’m a mother of a teen-aged boy – he played for me one season. The main difference between the boys and girls – speed of the game.
“And boys seem to bounce-back quicker from emotional situations.”
Matos says she’s gotten used to the boys’ game – and the speed – and probably will remain with them and not return to coaching girls. “But,” she quickly added, “The girls work on fundamentals more than the boys. The boys probably have more energy – and are a bit more stubborn. They think they have all the answers, most of the time.”
The Lincoln squad practices 4-7 pm daily – and Matos oversees a Study Hall for her squad as well. “Sometimes,” said Matos, who also teaches Physical Education at Lincoln said, “They call me Mother Theresa.”
But they always call her Coach – with respect.
Andy Furman is a Fox Sports Radio national talk show host. Previously, he was a scholastic sports columnist for the Brooklyn Eagle. He may be reached at: [email protected] X: @AndyFurmanFSR
