Manny Matsakis is in his fifth season as Widener’s offensive coordinator. He has also been overseeing the training and development of the quarterbacks and wide receivers while also monitoring the academic progress of the student-athletes in the program.
2017 saw the Pride continue to make strides on the offensive side of the ball. Three players were named to All-MAC Teams with Montrell Hicks-Taylor and Andrew Thomas garnering First Team honors. As a team, the Pride scored 30 or more points in four contests and posted a season-high 49 on the board against FDU-Florham on September 9.
In 2016, under Matsakis’ tutelage, Chris Randle was named the MAC Rookie of the Year as one of five offensive players named to All-Conference teams. He helped guide an offense that averaged more than 25 points per game for the third straight year and finished in the top portion of the MAC in several key categories.
A mastermind of the offensive game, Matsakis piloted a Widener offense that ranked first in the conference in total offense (428.7 ypg) and 16th nationally in passing (308.2 ypg) this past fall. Five players earned All-Middle Atlantic Conference postseason recognition, which was headlined by offensive lineman Stephen Domonoski and fullback Robert Getz each garnering first team laurels.
In addition, several members of the Pride combined to receive 12 major accolades for their work on the field and in the classroom this past fall. A league-record six players made the Academic All-Middle Atlantic Conference Team, four landed on the Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Team and two earned a place on the CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team for excelling in both areas.
Prior to his arrival at Widener, Matsakis was most recently the head coach at Bethany College (KS). He has also served as head coach at Emporia State (KS) (1995-98), Texas State University (2004) and Enka HS (NC) (2010-12).
At Emporia State, his teams caught national attention. The Hornets accumulated a single-season best nine wins, had the nation’s top-ranked offense and established 65 school, 40 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) & 22 NCAA records while also setting all-time attendance & revenue records. Under Matsakis’ tutelage, Brian Shay was awarded the Harlon Hill Trophy in 1998 as the national player of the year.
From 2000-2012, Matsakis was the assistant head coach and special teams coordinator for Mike Leach and the Texas Tech Red Raiders. While aiding the Red Raiders to three consecutive bowl games, he handled the day-to-day operations of the program, including oversight of a $100 million stadium and facility renovation.
As Wyoming’s offensive coordinator in 1999, he led an effort resulting in the Cowboy’s transition from worst to first in scoring and total offense versus Mountain West Conference opponents. From 1991-1993, Matsakis served as offensive coordinator at Hofstra University as they transitioned from Division III to I-AA. The offense was prolific, as the Flying Dutchmen established 34 school and 12 NCAA records averaging 405 yards per game passing in 1991.
Matsakis entered college football at Kansas State University working for Hall of Fame coach Bill Snyder. He was part of the greatest turnaround in college football history, serving as receiver’s coach in one stint and as tight ends coach and special teams coordinator in another.
Matsakis also served with head coach Mike Kelly in 2009 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL. He came to Winnipeg as a guest coach, and as the season progressed, he was promoted to running backs coach and ultimately to offensive coordinator in the middle of the season. That year, the Blue Bombers’ Fred Reid set an all-time rushing record versus the BC Lions in a historic game.
Off the field, Matsakis also holds the distinction as the founder of American Football Monthly the international magazine of the football coaching profession. He is also noted for writing numerous articles on the sport of football as well as creating his brainchild, the Triple Shoot Offense. Some of his works can be viewed on mannymatsakis.com and smartfootball.com.
Matsakis received his bachelor’s degree in biology and played collegiately at Capital University. He completed his master’s degree and finished his doctoral classes in curriculum & instruction while attending Kansas State University.
