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Matt Furjanic enters his twelth year as the head coach of the Polk State College basketball team. In the past eleven years, Coach Furjanic has amassed an overall record of 207-135, which includes five Suncoast Conference titles (2011, 2009, 2008, 2004, and 2003), and five Suncoast Conference Coach of the Year Awards. Forty players have gone on to earn scholarships at a four-year institution during Furjanic’s tenure.
Coach Furjanic’s prior college head coaching positions included stops at Division I schools Robert Morris University (1979-84) , Marist College (1984-86) and at Division III University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg (1995-00) . He guided both Robert Morris and Marist to the “Big Dance”, the NCAA Division I basketball tournament. He took Robert Morris in 1982 and 1983 and Marist in 1986. All three teams were champions of the Northeast Conference. The 1986 Marist team featured Rik Smits who went on to a stellar professional career with the Indiana Pacers. His overall Division I coaching record is 109-94. As with every program he coached, Furjanic received coaching honors as he was recognized with Coach of the Year Awards by the Northeast Conference and the ECAC. A trademark of Furjanic’s teams has been outstanding defense and his 1983 and 1985 teams were ranked 9th in NCAA Division I in Field Goal Percentage Defense. Also, four times his teams were first in the Northeast Conference in Field Goal Percentage Defense during his seven years as a Division I head coach.
He continued winning conference championships at Pitt Greensburg, which did not have a basketball program prior to his arrival. In his final two seasons of building the program at UPG, they were Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference champions while playing at the NCAA Division III level.
In 29 years as a head basketball coach, Furjanic has an overall record of 494-332. His teams have either won a regular season or conference tournament championship in 16 of those years. In November of 2007, Coach Furjanic was inducted into the Robert Morris University Hall of Fame. He also was previously inducted into the East Boros Chapter of the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame in 1990.
A native of Rankin, PA, where he was born and resided until his move to Winter Haven, Furjanic also had two coaching stints at his "hometown" high school, General Braddock (1975-77) and Woodland Hills (1991-95). His 1992 Woodland Hills team featured Jason Taylor, All-Pro defensive end of the Miami Dolphins. Coach Furjanic has a bachelor’s degree from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA, where he graduated in 1973 while majoring in social studies/secondary education. He and his wife, Rita, have three children, Tracey (Ryan Boyle), Lori and Matthew III and three grandchildren, Riley, Magdalena and Emily Boyle. |
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Coach Perkins begins his third season as assistant coach at Polk State College after spending three seasons as a student assistant at Baylor University of the Big XII Conference, where he assisted the coaching staff in the day to day operation of the team. During his time at Baylor, the Bears made their first trip to the NCAA tournament in 20 years and also played in the NIT championship game in New York City.
Coach Perkins duties as the top assistant comprise all aspects of the basketball program including recruiting, individual development of the players, practice planning, game preparation, scouting, film exchange etc.
Prior to his stint at Baylor, Coach Perkins served eight seasons as the head coach of his alma mater, Collinsville Christian Academy in the St. Louis suburb of Collinsville, IL. While there he lead two teams (1999 and 2004) to Top 5 national finishes in the NACA final polls.
Coach Perkins earned his bachelor's of education degree from Baylor University, majoring in Human Health Performance and Recreation. Stephen and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Winter Haven.
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RANDY HOFFMAN • ASSISTANT COACH
O: (863) 298-6807
E: rhoffman@polk.edu
Randy Hoffman is entering his seventh year with the basketball program and his first year as an assistant coach at Polk State College. Coach Hoffman graduated from Polk Community College and was a student manager for two years under Coach Furjanic from 2000-2002 while earning his Associate's Degree. After attending Polk, Randy went on to attend Florida State University where he was also a student manager for two years under Coach Leonard Hamilton and his staff.
Entering his second year as an assistant coach, Coach Hoffman will assist in all aspects of the basketball program. Along with his coaching duties, he will also work closely with the academic counselor to follow the progress of the players academically.
Randy is originally from Haines City, FL, where he currently resides, and is single. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Sports Management from FSU in 2004. He is presently a teacher at Haines City High School.
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