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Six-year East Hampton boys and girls tennis coach Kevin McConville. MARIANNE BARNETT
Matthew Shimkus, an East Hampton High School special education teacher, has been named the new varsity girls tennis coach for the district.
Shimkus, who has led Bonackers middle school and junior varsity football and baseball teams, will replace popular tennis professional Kevin McConville, who led the boys and girls tennis teams, which combine with players from Sag Harbor and Bridgehampton, for the last six years.
“I enjoy coaching, and saw this as a new opportunity,” said Shimkus, who has also instructed tennis and basketball teams over his 16 years as an educator. “I am excited. It is a great group of student-athletes, and I am looking forward to a successful season.”
McConville said he was called into a meeting earlier in the summer with High School Principal Ralph Naglieri and Athletic Director Kathy Masterson, when he was told the district was “going in a different direction.” Masterson did not respond to requests for comment regarding the decision.
“I loved coaching the team,” McConville said, adding that he was also disappointed to find out that administrators called his boss, Scott Rubenstein, at East Hampton Indoor Tennis, where he began working last year, to see if he could recommend another coach.
“He said, ‘You won’t find a better, more dedicated coach,’” McConville said Rubenstein replied.
Rubenstein reiterated McConville’s passion for the job to The East Hampton Star, and said he declined to advocate for a replacement.
“He was passionate about the job,” Rubenstein said. “He really cared about the kids.”
McConville most recently led the boys team to the Suffolk County team semifinals, and coached 2023 graduate Max Astilean to the individual state championships. Astilean placed fourth in the county. McConville also coached multiple girls and boys teams to individual and team success over his tenure.
“Kevin is the best coach I could’ve asked for to help me develop not just as a tennis player, but as a person,” Astilean said previously. “Something Kevin said to me, which I’ll never forget, was to not be afraid of hard work, and to embrace the grind.”
Rising senior Nick Cooper also praised his now former coach at the beginning of last season, saying McConville was quick to get him up to speed after a summer of not playing as frequently.
“Kevin has really been helping me become confident with my net game,” he said then.
Shimkus played football, baseball and ran winter track in high school. He was hired at a salary of $8,356 as per an August 15 Board of Education meeting.
“Matt is an experienced coach … and he is also our summer school principal. He is a well-respected teacher in our district,” Masterson said. “He has coached tennis in the past and stepped up when we needed a coach. I look forward to a great year with Matt as a varsity girls tennis coach.”
The instructor said he previously taught varsity athletes Hailey Rigby and Riley Reville, and, entering his eighth year with the district, is familiar with many of the students on his newly-acquired team.
“We have had a great start to the season and are improving each day,” Shimkus said. “Our goal is to get better every day and put ourselves in the best position to be successful.”
