Matt Underhill Embraces New Role as Rocky/Central Regional NDG Coach

Matt Underhill Embraces New Role with Vision and Passion

After a season away from full-time coaching, Matt Underhill is back, bringing a renewed sense of purpose and dedication to his new position as the Rocky/Central Regional NDG Coach (National Development Group). His decision to step away from his previous role was driven by a need to balance his professional commitments with his responsibilities as a father. “My intention was to never get away from coaching,” Underhill emphasized. “I needed to step away from the travel that was required to stay in my previous US Ski Team position. I have two young kids, and they weren’t going to wait for me to get home to grow up.”

Underhill’s return to coaching is fueled by his unwavering passion for the sport and his wealth of experience. This new role at Rocky Central, which involves significantly less travel, fits perfectly with his current personal situation. Additionally, he is excited about the potential impact he can make in this more localized position.

Impact and Collaboration

Underhill sees immense potential for fostering collaboration among the Rocky/Central (R/C) clubs. “I’d like to think that I can help R/C clubs work together and combine resources to help push the level of skiing higher within the region,” he explained. By facilitating the creation of more depth and helping athletes move to the next level, he aims to mitigate the financial pressures that many ski racing programs face. “We have so many great hills, athletes, resources, and coaches in the region that if we can alleviate the need for every program to be staffed and resourced to the max, we may be able to have an impact on the financial crisis of ski racing in the US.”

Setting Priorities

In his new role, Underhill has clear priorities. Supporting the competition season at the national and Nor-Am level is at the top of his list. He plans to offer prep and pace projects before competitions, ensuring that even the fastest athletes have access to pace. “Typically, every program has pace, but not so common does the fastest athlete at every program have access to pace,” Underhill noted. By giving these athletes additional support, he believes they can return to their training groups with more speed, benefiting everyone.

On and Off the Snow

To achieve these objectives, Underhill has a comprehensive plan that includes both on-snow and off-snow projects. “As I mentioned before, trying to bring fast athletes together with pace on snow before Nor-Am and national events,” he said. Off the snow, his focus will be on pushing the conditioning aspect, which he sees as a critical component of success. “I don’t think that we as a country want to embrace the true importance of this key piece,” he remarked. By educating people on what the rest of the world is doing and facilitating access to USSS High Performance/strength and conditioning resources, Underhill hopes to elevate the overall performance of R/C athletes.

Winter Role and Performance Improvement

During the winter, Underhill will play a vital role in supporting and organizing prep for competition at the continental cup level. He believes that his position will significantly improve the performance of R/C athletes by serving as a valuable resource for training and educational purposes. “I don’t believe I have all the answers alone, but I have resources and experience to share,” he stated. By bringing together the collective experience from around the region, he hopes to create a better system to help athletes achieve their goals.

Additional Contributions

Beyond the goals of USSS and R/C, Underhill aims to bring a collaborative spirit and a wealth of knowledge to the region. He is committed to helping clubs and athletes work together to overcome challenges and reach new heights. “We collectively as a region have so much to offer,” he said. “I believe we can create or be part of creating a better system in the US to help move athletes towards their goals.”

Insights from Chip Knight

Chip Knight, the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association Alpine Development Director, provided further insights into Underhill’s new role. He will report directly to Chip Knight, with a dotted line to RockyCentral Regional Development Director, Darlene Nolting.

Knight outlined Underhill’s primary responsibilities, which include leading an elite NDG and Rocky/Central regional program to advance athletes toward the National Team, and supporting Rocky/Central athletes and coaches at NorAm and National Championship events. “Matt will be driving high-performance at the national and regional development levels and supporting emerging club athletes as they advance beyond what their clubs can provide,” Knight explained.

Ideal Candidate for the Role

Knight emphasized that Underhill is uniquely qualified for this role due to his extensive knowledge of the sport and the domestic system. “He has worked with the National Team at the NorAm and Europa Cup levels and with U14, U16, and FIS-age athletes at the club level,” Knight noted. “His hands-on experience and commitment to excellence make him ideal for this vital development role.”

Perspectives from Darlene Nolting

Darlene Nolting, the Rocky/Central Regional Development Director, highlighted the significance of Underhill’s new position. Last season, Rocky/Central lost their regional coach due to funding, which significantly impacted the region. “This position was renewed through reallocated organizational funding,” Nolting explained. The shift in priorities, emphasizing national development performance and regionalized support, enabled the creation of Matt’s new position.

Underhill will have several specific responsibilities for Rocky/Central. He will work with Regional Nor-Am level athletes and organize and manage travel for Nor-Ams, prep projects, and National Championship events. “Matt will help bridge the gap between Regional athletes and the National team,” Nolting said. He will also bring athletes, clubs, and coaches in the Region together at National events and provide leadership at prep projects and championship events throughout the year in collaboration with the clubs and coaches.

Nolting believes Underhill is the right person for the job due to his extensive coaching qualifications and understanding of athlete needs. “Matt knows what the athletes need to perform at their best,” she noted. “He is connected enough to provide the right project with the right athletes in the right location. His strong work ethic inspires the athletes to perform to their best.”

In summary, Matt Underhill’s return to coaching as the Rocky/Central Regional NDG Coach is marked by a strategic vision and a deep commitment to the sport. His approach, centered on collaboration, resource optimization, and a focus on conditioning, promises to elevate the performance of athletes in the region and contribute to the broader success of ski racing in the US.