Basketball coach Matt Lynch announces Cody Aaron engagement

Basketball coach Matt Lynch has announced his engagement to fellow coach Cody Aaron. The couple shared their happy news in a joint Instagram post on 28 September, receiving congratulations as they celebrated the next step in their relationship.

Lynch is the head men’s basketball coach at the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie, while Aaron coaches tennis. Their announcement brings a personal milestone for Lynch, who has built his coaching career while living openly as a gay man.

Away from the engagement celebrations, Lynch has helped guide Salkehatchie to success on the basketball court. His first season leading the team ended with a regional championship and a place in the national tournament in 2024.

That team was made up entirely of students in their first year of college, making its achievements particularly memorable. Lynch was also named the National Junior College Athletic Association’s Division I Atlantic District Coach of the Year, recognising his work during that debut season.

Originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, Lynch worked at Chowan University before joining Salkehatchie. His earlier career included four seasons at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where he progressed from video coordinator to director of men’s basketball operations and then assistant coach.

His coaching approach places relationships with players at its centre, with an emphasis on spending time with them and supporting their progress in both basketball and education. Now, alongside that work, he and Aaron have an engagement to celebrate together.

Image credits - Matt Lynch on Instagram