Augusta, Ga.- Growing up in Northern Virginia, Matt McCool had two goals in life, playing basketball and being in the United States Secret Service. McCool has actually accomplished both.

He's the son of a legendary Virginia coach and his best friend's dad was in the Secret Service that got McCool's interest. So it's no surprise those were his lifelong dreams. 

McCool became a Jaguar in 1994 and played for Augusta two seasons. He played for Clint Bryant and then assistant, Dip Metress. He actually knew Metress long before his days at AU. Brian Metress, Dip's older brother, was an assistant under McCool's father. 

While playing in high school, both Metress and Bryant watched him play. Bryant paid a visit to McCool and the relationship took off from there. He admits he really had to work at being good at basketball, but it paid off with the scholarship offer. 

"I remember meeting Clint at my house," said McCool. "I immediately liked him. He had a great way about him and made you feel like he cared about you. It was an easy decision." 

"He had a no nonsense work ethic and he put in a lot of work," said Metress. "He was a big, strong guard at 6' 2" and at that time that was unusual." 
 

McCool battled ankle injuries during his playing days but Bryant and Metress never gave up on him. After McCool's freshman year Metress left Augusta and then landed the head coaching job at Belmont Abbey a year later.  At the same time McCool was looking for a new school. When Metress found that out, he told McCool to come there. Bryant was more than supportive and McCool made the move. 

He admits he owes a lot to Metress believing in him even through the injuries and subsequent ankle surgery. 

"I always appreciated Dip for not giving up on me. I came back after redshirting and Dip gave me an opportunity and he didn't have to do that for me. He didn't have as many scholarships at Belmont Abbey and he let me keep my scholarship," said McCool. "Those years definitely shaped me." 

McCool did some teaching and coaching after his playing days and was started to follow in his dad's footsteps, but something was missing. The little voice inside his head was telling him this wasn't what he really wanted to do. He found out the Secret Service was hiring and decided that was his calling.

With the Secret Service, McCool's protected all of the living Presidents at one time or another. He's currently on his 11th assignment and has served all over the world. Just like he did while playing basketball, he took the same attitude at becoming the best Secret Service agent he could be. 

Another correlation McCool draws from being on a basketball team to working in the Secret Service is both work as a team. 

"It's a parallel that to me is very clear. The lessons you learn in sports, especially at the college level - the dedication, the commitment, the selfishness - you need to put the team first. The ultimate goal is to win the last game and it's the same here for us at the Secret Service. Winning for us is protecting the President, the Vice President and heads of state," said McCool.
 

McCool is currently the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office and was recently in charge when the President visited New York City for the NBA Finals. 

"Just like a basketball team, you're only as strong as the players on your team. We can have the best security plan, but if one of the players, or agents, on our team isn't doing their job, it doesn't work." 

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