A.J. (Andrew Jackson) Mathews was born and raised in Bellingham, Washington and grew up with an athletic family. Surrounded by every sport imaginable A.J. developed a passion for baseball at an early age and excelled. With the help of his older brother, A.J. grew to be very competitive and loved the challenge of competing at a high level.
A.J. played baseball at Sehome High School and won numerous baseball awards while playing for Coach Hatch. After playing high school ball A.J. went on to Wenatchee Community College playing baseball as a utility/closer. He also played one season for the Bellingham Bells as relief pitcher and has been coaching youth sports ever since.
A.J. started his coaching career in his senior year of high school by coaching a youth basketball team. He had so much fun and success that he decided to dedicate his life to teaching and coaching in the northwest. A.J. has coached an array of sports over a 12+ year career before becoming a Crush coach: 6th grade youth basketball boys and girls club, volunteer baseball coach for Sehome High (2 state titles), Meridian middle school basketball (2 years), Meridian middle school baseball (2 years), Meridian middle school volleyball (2 years), Head baseball coach at Evergreen Campus (3 years), Head volleyball coach at Tyee High School (1 year), Freshman basketball coach at Evergreen campus (2 years).
A.J. is a firm believer in making a complete athlete and discourages specialization. He just moved back to Bellingham after 3 years of teaching health, physical education and coaching in SeaTac, Washington. A.J. and his wife Grete (pronounced Greta) recently had a baby girl.