Coach Mata was the head coach of the Howard Payne program from 2000-2002 and returned to HPU in 2008 after spending five years in the high school ranks.

Coach Mata is now HPU's all-time wins leader as a head coach with over 240 career victories, He has led the Lady Jackets to five 20+ wins in a season (2001, 2002, 2008, 2009, 2013). In 2001, Mata guided HPU to its first winning season in the history of the program and an American Southwest Conference West Division Title.

Jose Mata came back the HPU from Hillsboro High School where he has spent three seasons. The first two where as the head softball coach and this last season he served as the girls athletic coordinator and head girls basketball coach.

In 2006, he led the Hillsboro softball team to an area championship. Before Hillsboro, he served as the head softball coach at Early High School for two seasons leading them to the 2003 district and area titles.

Before coming to HPU the first time, Mata was the head girls and boys basketball coach for Lingleville High School for four seasons.

Mata graduated in 1992 with a bachelor of science degree from Tarleton State University in Exercise and Sport Studies and completed a master of education in Educational Administration from Howard Payne University in 2014.

Coach Mata and his wife Julie are members of First Baptist Church of Stephenville. They have one son, Gabriel Joseph..