Tom Matukewicz

Love, Effort, Attitude and Discipline (L.E.A.D) are the pillars of Tom Matukewicz’s process-driven Southeast Missouri football program.

Matukewicz begins his ninth year as the Redhawks head coach in 2022. He guided his teams to one Ohio Valley Conference title (2019), two NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoff appearances (2018, 2019) and the school’s only FCS Playoff win (2018). Matukewicz has seven wins over nationally-ranked FCS opponents, most of any head coach in SEMO history. Additionally, he holds the most wins (41) and OVC victories (33) of any head coach during the school’s NCAA Division I era.

SEMO put together four-straight winning seasons in OVC play, another program first for Matukewicz. The Redhawks put together back-to-back nine-win campaigns for the first time in program history when they finished at 9-4 each of the 2018 and 2019 seasons. SEMO went a combined 12-1 at home over that span, as well.

A year ago, the Redhawks tied for second in the OVC with a 4-2 record marking the third time in the last four seasons where they finished either first or second in the league standings.

SEMO led the OVC in kick returns (25.7 ypr), fourth down conversions (10-of-15, 66.7 pct.), opponent fourth down conversions (10-of-23, 43.5, pct.), red zone offense (33-of-33, 1.00 pct.) and red zone defense (31-of-40, 77.5 pct.). The Redhawks led the FCS in red zone offense as one of only two teams in the country that converted all of its chances inside the 20-yard line.

The Redhawks also ranked second among OVC leaders in rushing offense (195.1 ypg), punting (38.8 ypp), PAT kicking (36-of-37, 97.3 pct.) and turnover margin (+6).

In a challenging year brought on by a global COVID-19 pandemic, SEMO finished its abbreviated 2020 season with an overall record of 4-4 and took fourth in the OVC with a 4-3 mark.

Under Matukewicz, SEMO has ranked among the nation’s Top-25 teams in the FCS STATS Media or American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Polls a total of 18 weeks, including two in 2020, 13 in 2019 and three in 2018. The Redhawks achieved their highest ranking of #12 in the Sept. 2 and Nov. 25 STATS Media Polls during the 2019 campaign. SEMO ranked #13 and #17 in the final STATS Media Polls in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Every year that Matukewicz has been head coach at SEMO, the Redhawks finished among the top two in the OVC in either red zone defense, sacks, turnover margin, third down defense or interceptions.

In 2020, SEMO led the OVC and rated eighth in the nation in red zone defense. The Redhawks also ranked eighth in the FCS with 10 interceptions.

The 2019 Redhawks topped the OVC and ranked 20th nationally in interceptions (14). SEMO rated second in the league in red zone defense and had 24 takeaways, which ranked third among conference foes.

Matukewicz’s 2019 squad claimed a share of the OVC title and advanced to the FCS Playoffs for the second-straight year. The Redhawks went 7-1 in conference play en route to just their second OVC crown in school history and first since 2010.

The Redhawks upended then-#14 Jacksonville State on the road becoming the first team to beat JSU in Jacksonville, Alabama in SEMO’s Division I era. Matukewicz became the first head coach to knock off the Gamecocks in back-to-back seasons during the school’s entire Division I tenure (since 1991). Additionally, the Redhawks ended JSU’s 36-game winning streak in OVC play and 32-game winning streak in home regular-season contests.

SEMO’s lone conference blemish that year came on the road at Austin Peay, which shared the regular-season championship with the Redhawks. After that, SEMO won its final six games of the season and hoisted the trophy following a 31-24 home victory over rival Murray State. The Redhawks closed out 2019 with a loss to Illinois State during the first round of the FCS Playoffs in Cape Girardeau.

In 2018, SEMO’s program turned the corner with a historic season that saw Matukewicz guide the Redhawks to a 9-4 overall record, second-place finish in the OVC and the school’s first NCAA FCS Playoff berth in eight years..

The Redhawks knocked off two ranked opponents and posted their first postseason victory when they toppled #15 Stony Brook in the first-ever NCAA Playoff game played at Houck Field.

The Redhawks nearly swept the league’s coveted specialty awards as Matukewicz was named OVC Coach of the Year, linebacker Zach Hall was tabbed Defensive Player of the Year and running back Marquis Terry was selected Offensive Player of the Year.

Statistically, the Redhawks led the FCS in turnover margin (+1.85), turnovers gained (36), interceptions (23), blocked punts allowed (0) and fumbles lost (1). SEMO also led the OVC in 13 different categories.

Along the way, SEMO broke six single-season school records, including points scored (482), points per game (37.1), touchdowns (63), total plays (891) and all-purpose yards (7,094).

Six players earned All-America recognition. Hall, who became SEMO’s first player to win the Buck Buchanan National Defensive Player of the Year award, was named to eight All-America teams alone. Forbes, Terry, Bydarrius Knighten, DJ Freeman and Zion Custis were the Redhawks other All-America honorees.

Nine individuals garnered All-OVC accolades. Daniel Santacaterina, Terry, Forbes, Hall and Knighten were first-team selections, while Clarence Thornton, Justin Swift, Kristian Wilkerson and Lucas Orchard were second-team picks.

SEMO went a perfect 6-0 at home and later won 13 in a row at Houck Field prior to its first-round FCS Playoff loss to Illinois State (Nov. 30, 2019).

Following the 2018 campaign, Matukewicz received a contract extension through Jan. 31, 2023.

“Coach Matukewicz has a special ability to develop young men both on and off the field, said Director rof Athletics Brady Barke. “He is building a championship caliber football program, and we have a great opportunity to build upon our recent success. We have seen firsthand the positive impact that a successful football program can have on our University and community and I’m excited to have him lead our program into the future.”

SEMO led the OVC and ranked sixth in the FCS with 37 sacks in 2017. The Redhawks also finished among the top four teams in the league in scoring defense (21.8 ppg allowed), rushing offense (4th, 137.7 ypg), kickoff returns (3rd, 22.8 ypr), punt return average (3rd, 10.1 ypr), sacks allowed (3rd, 14), fourth-down conversions (3rd, 50 pct.), turnover margin (t2nd, +3) and red zone defense (4th, 75 pct.).

Four Redhawks, including Kendall Donnerson (first-team), Terry (first-team), Hall (second-team) and Forbes (second-team) garnered All-OVC accolades. Donnerson was later drafted by the Green Bay Packers, becoming the first SEMO player to be drafted in 14 years.

In 2016, SEMO lost four games by a combined 12 points en route to finishing with an overall record of 3-8.

The Redhawks ranked third in the OVC in both scoring defense (24.4 ppg allowed) and rushing defense (138.5 ypg allowed), and boasted the league’s second-best red zone defense. Five Redhawks, including Chad Meredith (first-team), Alex Knight (first-team), Cameron Sanders (first-team), Will Young (second-team) and Jesse Hosket (all-newcomer) earned All-OVC honors.

SEMO completed its 2015 campaign ranked among the top three teams in the OVC in rushing offense (2nd, 182.9 ypg), kickoff returns (20.6 ypr), punt return average (3rd, 9.6 ypr), kickoff coverage (2nd, 40.6 net avg.), sacks (2nd, 31), fourth down conversions (2nd, 60 pct.) and turnover margin (1st, +10). The Redhawks 31 sacks were third-most in a season. In addition, SEMO led the league in turnover margin after ranking last in that category the year before. The Redhawks faced four ranked teams and lost four games by a combined 14 points last season, as well.

Individually, Dante Vandeven, Tremane McCullough, Paul McRoberts, Garret Baker, Mike Ford, Knight and Roper Garrett earned All-OVC honors in 2015.

Vandeven was the league’s Freshman of the Year, McCullough and McRoberts were first-team selections and Baker, Garrett, Knight and Ford were second-team picks.

McRoberts went on to sign as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Rams and was then signed to the team’s active roster on Dec. 23, 2016. McRoberts was on the practice squad for the Canadian Football League’s Saskatchewan RougbbeCincinnati Bengals and Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, Shabari Davis signed as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars following the 2022 NFL Draft.

A native of Silver Lake, Kansas, Matukewicz hit the ground running during his head coaching debut in 2014.

That year, SEMO celebrated two wins over ranked opponents, beating then-#3 Southeastern Louisiana and then-#20 Tennessee State. Southeastern Louisiana was the highest-ranked opponent SEMO has ever beaten and the 2014 campaign marked the first time the Redhawks knocked off two ranked opponents in one season.

After those wins, SEMO moved to #23 in the Oct. 6, 2014 Sports Network Poll, claiming its first Top 25 ranking since the end of the 2010 season.

Statistically, the Redhawks led the OVC in third down conversion percentage (45.7), fourth down conversion percentage (66.7) and sacks allowed (9).

SEMO was also sixth in the FCS in sacks allowed, 13th in fourth down conversion percentage and 14th in third down conversion percentage.

As a team, the Redhawks scored 384 points, their most in a season since 2002.

The excitement of Matukewicz’s brick-by-brick approach generated an increase in home attendance during two of his first three seasons as head coach.

Matukewicz coached a total of 36 All-OVC performers, including one OVC Offensive Player of the Year (Terry), one OVC Defensive Player of the Year (Hall), one OVC Freshman of the Year (Vandeven), 19 first-team selections and 17 second-team picks during his first seven years as SEMO’s head coach. McRoberts became the first Redhawk player invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl, as well.

Off the field, Matukewicz’s program is highly visible in the community and often engages in random acts of kindness. He simply uses goodwill to teach his players valuable life lessons.

SEMO teamed up with the Cape Girardeau Police Department to raise money for the Minority Police Academy Scholarship Fund on Oct. 10, 2020. The event raised $13,000, which helped fund two scholarships.

In 2015, SEMO partnered with Saint Francis Medical Center to announce a new collaboration, taking the Redhawks’ Pink Up efforts to a new level.

As part of a Pink Up Jersey Auction, the football team raised over $75,000 for breast cancer awareness over a four-year period. The Redhawks donned special pink jerseys, each personalized with a name in honor or memory of a survivor or loved one during this special initiative.

Before its 2016 season-opener at Memphis, SEMO visited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Redhawk players, coaches and support staff toured the amazing facility that leads the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. SEMO donated teddy bears and other items along with a check for over $500 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

On July 21, 2016, Matukewicz organized a Cops and Hawks flag football game which brought a whole community together in light of shootings in the United States. Redhawk players and local law enforcement officials were teammates in the event which raised $4,500 for BackStoppers, a non-profit organization that provides needed financial assistance and support to the spouses and dependent children of fallen and injured service members in the line of duty.

During SEMO’s 2014 season-opener against Missouri Baptist, the Redhawk captains took a No. 14 jersey to midfield for the coin toss to honor the memory of Kaden Robert. Robert was a Kelly High School football player who died in an accidental shooting on June, 2014.

A week later, Michael Douglas, a 16-year old from Kansas, accompanied the Redhawks on the sideline for their game against the Jayhawks on Sept. 6, 2014. Douglas was diagnosed with an interstitial lung disease when he was a year old and has to use an oxygen tank. The teenager initially contacted wide receiver Mike Cyliax for an autograph the summer before the 2014 campaign. Once Matukewicz heard the story, he wrote Douglas a letter and invited him to the game.

SEMOt’s football program generously donated to the Nolan Weber Believers 5K & Fun Run/Walk in nearby Jackson. Weber was a soccer player at Jackson High School who fought brain cancer for almost three years (doubling the life expectancy of what his illness normally came with) before he passed away. The contribution went to the Believing Beyond Nolan Weber Foundation that provides financial and/or spiritual/emotional support to children and their families battling cancer and other catastrophic illnesses.

Matukewicz also presented a check to the parents of Dominic Hooper -- a Scott City teen who tied in February, 2014 from injuries sustained in an ATV accident -- during the team’s annual spring game.

A tireless worker, Matukewicz brings energy and passion unlike any other. His commitment to excellence and brick-by-brick mantra have the Redhawks soaring to new heights.

Popularly known as “Coach Tuke,” Matukewicz was introduced as SEMO’s 13th head coach on Dec. 18, 2013. Matukewicz is used to transforming programs into winners and he did just that as an assistant coach at Northern Illinois and Southern Illinois.

While at NIU, Matukewicz helped lead the Huskies to the Mid-American Conference West title in 2010 and an outright MAC Championship in 2011. Matukewicz was the linebackers coach in 2011 after serving as defensive run-game coordinator for three seasons under then-head coach Jerry Kill.

Matukewicz reached the pinnacle of his NIU stint when he was interim head coach for the Huskies’ trip to the 2010 Humanitarian Bowl after Kill accepted the Minnesota job at the end of the season. He led NIU to a commanding 40-17 victory over Fresno State in that game.

Matukewicz was responsible for coordinating the Huskies’ run defense during his first three seasons at NIU. In 2010, the Huskies ranked 24th nationally and third in the MAC in rushing defense, allowing 126.5 yards per game. NIU also had the MAC’s No. 1 total defense in 2008 and 2009.

In his first year in DeKalb, Matukewicz was part of a staff that turned NIU into the No. 1 scoring and total defense in the MAC, and one of the top 20 units in the country. The Huskies boasted the second-most improved scoring defense in the nation in 2008. That year, NIU allowed only 18 points per game, down from 30.8 the previous season. The Huskies ranked 17th nationally in total defense and was fifth in the country in pass defense.

Before that, Matukewicz spent seven seasons at SIU. As linebackers coach and run-game coordinator, he had a big hand in three Missouri Valley Football Conference championships (2003, 2004, 2005) and five NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoff berths (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007).

Matukewicz was named the 2007 FCS Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association after helping turn the Salukis into one of the top rushing defenses in the nation. SIU held its opponents to a rushing average below 135 yards per game every year from 2002-07. The Salukis had three of the top-10 rushing defenses in program history during that time.

Matukewicz’s 2004 linebacker corps formed the heart of a defense which gave up just 101.7 rushing yards per game, led the nation in scoring defense and allowed 13.2 points per contest.

Matukewicz made one more stop at the University of Toledo prior to accepting his first head coaching job at SEMO.

At Toledo, Matukewicz was defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

In 2012, Matukewicz helped guide a defense that ranked among the top 25 in the nation in fourth-down conversion (9th), red-zone defense (10th), interceptions (18th) and turnovers forced (25th). The Rockets went 9-4 and earned a trip to the 2012 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

Matukewicz’s defense also featured the nation’s leading tackler in linebacker Dan Molls. Molls had 166 tackles, earned First-Team All-MAC honors and became Toledo’s first Academic All-American in eight years.

Matukewicz completed his undergraduate work at Fort Hays State. He received his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1997 and then earned his master’s degree in administration at Pittsburg State.

He coached at Fort Hays State (1996-97), Pittsburg State (1997-99), Coffeyville Community College (1999-2000) and Emporia State (2000-01) prior to his NCAA Division I football tenure.

Matukewicz and his wife, Lenna, have two daughters, Georgia and Shelby.