Matt Anderson, a Hopkinton High School alumnus who served as the baseball team’s pitching coach since 2017, was named head coach. He takes over for Steve Simoes, who stepped down after the 2022 campaign.

Anderson graduated HHS in 2001 and was a Tri-Valley League All-Star as a senior captain, helping the Hillers win the TVL title. After a prep year at Williston Northampton, he went on to pitch at Assumption College from 2002-06.

He had a four-year stint as junior varsity head coach and varsity assistant coach at Holliston High School from 2007-11, and he has coached AAU baseball since 2007. He is the owner of Anderson Baseball Academy and serves as an offseason trainer for the Northeast Longhorns, for whom he used to be head coach.

Anderson said it was long a goal of his to take over the program at his alma mater, and he is especially thankful for the guidance shown by Simoes, who was his baseball coach at HHS and also the offensive coordinator for the football team when Anderson played quarterback. Simoes, who returned for a second stint as baseball coach starting in 2017, also was one of Anderson’s teachers at HHS.

“I don’t think I’d be where I am if not for Coach Simoes and the baseball and football programs,” Anderson said. “I want to continue what Coach Simoes built. We’re going to continue to build on what he put together the last five years. The program’s in a great place, and I want to continue the legacy.”

Anderson said he hopes to put his stamp on the program, but that his style will change with the times.

“I definitely have a growth mindset, and I’m going to continue to grow with my coaching style and continue to evolve,” he said. “Just like [Simoes] taught me in 2001 one way but he’s teaching differently now. My evolution as a coach will help the players get better over time.

“I’m always trying to find the best answers to every question and the best ways to do everything. Coach Simoes does a great job of that. We’ll try to enhance that. And I want to coach them to be good players but also good people.”

Via his training program and AAU organization based in neighboring Holliston, Anderson has coached a large number of Hopkinton players — especially in the class that graduated this past spring.

He said the program’s feeder team coaches will remain in place: fellow HHS alumni Mark Sanborn (junior varsity) and Jay Golden (freshmen).

“That’s going to be huge, they’re outstanding human beings and they both do an amazing job,” Sanborn said. “The kids are lucky to have them. Both have been varsity coaches in the past and have tremendous character. A big aspect of me taking this job was having the staff in place. They are quality guys.”