Source tells FootballScoop that former James Madison head coach Mickey Matthews is joining the staff of the Dallas XFL franchise where Bob Stoops is the head coach and general manager. We understand Matthews will coach the outside linebackers.
See the staff Stoops, and the rest of the XFL, have assembled so far via this link.
Matthews served as the head coach at JMU from 1999-2013, compiling a record of 109-71 during that stretch. His best season came in 2004 when he led the Dukes to their first Division I-AA (now referred to as FCS) national title over, a 31-21 win over Montana, finishing with a 13-2 final record.
In his 15 seasons leading the program, Matthews led the squad to top 25 finishes a total of nine times and appeared in the I-AA playoff six times.
Unquestionably, one of Matthews' biggest wins came in 2010 when he led the Dukes to an upset win over #13 ranked Virginia Tech in Blacksburg 21-16. The Hokies would go on to overcome that loss and win the ACC that season, while James Madison would finish 6-5.
This will mark Matthew's second coaching stop since James Madison. Back in 2016, just a few seasons after being let go at JMU after a 6-6 finish in 2013, Matthews landed as the defensive coordinator at Coastal Carolina from 2016-17.
Before becoming a head coach, Matthews coached on the defensive side of the ball at Kansas State, West Texas State, UTEP, Houston, TCU, Southwest Texas State, Marshall, and Georgia. In addition to serving as the defensive coordinator at Coastal Carolina, Matthews also held the defensive coordinator title at Southwest Texas State and Marshall.
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