Great Scott! Great Matt!

NANAIMO - The Mariners may need a new coaching staff next season, but the current coaches had the Mariners firing on all cylinders this weekend.

Right after celebrating the coaching careers of Matt Kuzminski and Scott Marr--both of whom are stepping down at the end of the postseason along with assistants Mark Simpson, Jacob Thom, and Chris Marsh--the Mariners rolled over the visiting Douglas Royals, 91-44.

Four Mariners scored in double-digits, led by Kye Kotapski-Tinga's 21 points and 19 from Winston Cole. Second semester addition Kaleb Wilson had an outstanding game on the boards, pulling down a game-high 16 rebounds in 27 minutes.

Lorenzo Bonamin scored 14 points to lead the Douglas College attack.

Thank you, Matt, Scott, and Coaches

Matt Kuzminski, Scott Marr, and their families listen as their accomplishments are recapped in front of the home crowd. Photo: Mary Kessenich

Matt Kuzminski was a star player in Nanaimo at Dover Bay Secondary before playing varsity at the University of Victoria, winning a U Sports national silver, and Simon Fraser University, where he served as captain. He returned to Nanaimo and was hired as VIU men's basketball head coach at only 25 years of age. This young buck started his coaching career with a bang by winning a CCAA national championship in his first season. 

His team won another national championship in 2019 and tacked on a national silver in 2015, a national bronze in 2023, and two fourth place finishes. He has also earned two CCAA national coach of the year awards.

At the provincial level, his teams have been dominant. Under Matt's leadership, the Mariners have qualified for every conference championship game over 12 seasons and have won 6 gold medals. Matt has also been named PACWEST coach of the year four times. 

All of Matt's successes are also Scott's successes – literally – as Scott was on Matt's coaching staff from Day 1. Scott attended Wellington Secondary and then starred at the University College of the Cariboo in Kamloops—where he also cut his chops in coaching. Scott then returned to Nanaimo to help lead the VIU men's program.

Matt and Scott's regular season record over 13 seasons is 30 losses to 232 wins—a winning percentage of just under 90 percent. 

The contributions of assistant coaches Mark Simpson, a national champion and member of the VIU Mariners Wall of Fame; Jacob Thom, a two-time All-Canadian as a Mariner player; and Chris Marsh, a former Mariner and Vike who played professionally overseas--are greatly appreciated as well.