Susquehanna University Athletics

Matt was a good CB and outstanding punter who always had his best punts from deep in SU territory to give the defense some breathing room. Matt was also a Pole Vaulter who contributed to the success of SU's Track & Field teams. In his spare time, Matt enjoyed hunting, and each Spring he proudly displayed wild turkeys he brought back to Lambda for dinner. His remarkably convincing turkey calls also caused several Susquehanna librarians to believe wild turkeys had somehow entered an open door or window.
 
After graduating from SU in 1982, Matt began coaching and became an assistant coach and Asst. Head Coach at William & Mary. In his 16 years at W&M, Matt produced many All-Conference players, and coached future NFL pros like Steve Christie (Bills' kicker), and players who became NFL Head Coaches: Mike Tomlin (Steelers) and Sean McDermott (Bills). As Asst. Head Coach at W&M, Matt also coached with W&M assistants who went on to become NFL Head Coaches: Sean McDermott (Bills), Brian Daboll (Giants) and Dan Quinn (former Falcons Head Coach, current Def. Coordinator for Dallas Cowboys).
 
In 2000, Matt started from scratch a new football program at Div. 3 Christopher Newport University (Virginia). Under Matt's leadership, CNU became the only school in NCAA history to make the playoffs in the first four years of its football program's existence. Over the next 16 years, CNU won 10 conference championships, and were 88-24 in league play (.788 winning percentage), and 109-60 overall (.645 winning percentage).
 
Matt was named Coach of the Year in USA South Athletic Conference seven times (2001, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2014), and was recently inducted into the USA South Athletic Conference Hall of Fame and Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame in Virginia. In celebration of his coaching career, a CNU video produced at the time of his retirement featured many of Matt's former players, including Mike Tomlin, thanking "Coach Matt" for his influence upon them.
 
In recognition of Matt's incredible achievements as their Head Coach, CNU named its football field in his honor in Sept. 2021. Matt keeps in touch with former teammates and coaches. His schedule as an Assoc. Athletic Director at CNU does not allow him time to visit SU often, but he proudly displays his SU letterman's plaques from Football and Track & Field on his office wall at CNU. One of his sons considered attending SU. Matt has also helped several SU grads obtain coaching positions to assist them in starting or advancing their coaching careers.