Matt Jelley, the highly successful head cross country/track coach at Toms River North High School for the past seven years, is in his first season as head cross country coach at Temple. Jelley led his team to one New Jersey Group IV state title, three South Jersey Group IV championships, six Ocean County Championships and one Shore Conference Championship in cross country.

"I know Matt will be a perfect for this program," Scalessa said. "He has proven his winning ability many times over with his high school programs and is enthusiastic to take his ideas to the collegiate level. His own running experience makes him familiar with the Division I level and I have no doubt that he will transition into the Temple family with great success."

Jelley, who was named the 2001 New Jersey Cross Country Coach of the Year by the Newark Star-Ledger, coached four cross country teams (2001-04) to national rankings by Harrier Magazine. He also mentored 10 high school All-Americans and owned a 41-5 dual meet record during his time at Toms River North (2000-07). Jelley was named the Ocean County Cross Country Coach of the Year five times (2000-04) and earned 19 Coach of the Year honors by various publications during his time at TRN.

"I am very excited about joining the Temple family," Jelley said. "There are many talented athletes who are ready to take their performances to the next level. I feel that Temple University and the athletic programs are on the verge of exploding to a higher level of success. I will work very hard to help build a program that the students, alumni, and the entire Temple family can be proud of."

In track and field, Jelley led Toms River North to four straight Class "A" South titles, one Ocean County title and one Shore Conference crown. He was named the Ocean County Track and Field Coach of the Year twice (2004, 2007) and the Shore Conference Track and Field Coach of the Year (2003, 2007).

He holds USATF Level II Endurance, Jumps and Throws certification. He also spent time as an assistant coach at Toms River North (1999-00), Lacey Township (1998-99), and Fort Lee (1997-98) High Schools.

Jelley, 33, graduated from Clemson University with a bachelor's in financial management in 1996 and was a three-year performer on the cross country and track teams. He also spent time at Monmouth University (1991-92), where he set five school records in cross country and track, and Ocean County College (1992-93), where he was an academic and athletic All-American in cross country.

A 1991 graduate of Toms River North, he led his team to a pair of New Jersey Group IV Championships and was an all-state selection. He currently teaches computers at TRN.