Matt Thrasher became the head golf coach for both the men's and women's teams at Missouri Western State University in July 2022, making him only the second coach to hold both positions.
Thrasher helped women's golfer Saya Schweitzer to third team all-MIAA status in 2024 and again in 2026 . He also helped guide the women's team to consecutive NCAA Regional bids in both 2025 and 2026.
Ines Vandaele earned second team all-MIAA honors for Griffon Women's Golf in 2025 and 2026 as well.
On the men's side, Thrasher helped guide Jeffrey Johnston to one of the best careers in program history. Johnston ended his career with four career victories, three NCAA regional appearances, two PING All-Central Region accolades and three all-MIAA nods. With 16 career top 10 finishes, Johnston ended his career with the overall lowest scoring average in MoWest men's golf history.
Aiden Asby also earned all-MIAA status in men's golf in 2025 and again 2026. With Asby's help, Thrasher's men's golf team qualified for the NCAA Regional in 2026. It marked the third regional appearance for Griffon Men's Golf in the last six seasons.
During Thrasher's debut season in 2022-23, the women's team reached the NCAA Central Regional tournament for the first time since 2019, finishing in eighth place. This was their fifth central regional appearance in the past seven years. Additionally, Julie Hofmanova earned the title MIAA Female Golfer of the Week during the regular season.
On the men's team, Marius Dosiere received recognition as MIAA Golfer of the Week and MIAA Freshman of the Year during the regular season. He also qualified for the NCAA Division II Midwest/Central Regional at the Bridges Golf Course, becoming the first Griffon freshman to reach the Super Regional since Patrick McCarthy in 2017.
Thrasher is an MWSU alumnus who played golf from 1991 to 1995 and won three individual tournaments. He has remained involved in the sport in various capacities, including serving as a caddy for MWSU alum and professional golfer Brad Nurski and helping Coach Dillon when needed. Coach Thrasher was the No. 1 golfer on the team during his time at Missouri Western in the early '90s. Before taking on the coaching position, he ran an insurance company in the St. Joseph area and was involved in multiple city boards.
Thrasher began his coaching tenure on the same day that the Griffon Golf Simulator was unveiled to the public in the Looney Indoor Sports Complex. This tool allows he and his staff to fine-tune players' swings and better prepare the Griffons for competition.
Thrasher resides in St. Joseph with his wife, Ashley. They have two daughters, Emmy and Averie.
