Matt Simon (American football, born 1985)
{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1985)}}
{{distinguish|Matt Simon (American football, born 1953)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox college coach
| name = Matt Simon
| image =
| alt =
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| current_title = Co-Offensive coordinator
Wide receivers coach
| current_team = Minnesota Golden Gophers
| current_conference = Big Ten
| current_record =
| contract =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|12|4|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Farmington, Minnesota, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| alma_mater = Northern Illinois University
| player_years1 = 2004–2008
| player_team1 = Northern Illinois
| player_positions = Wide receiver
| coach_years1 = 2010
| coach_team1 = Northern Illinois (Offensive quality control)
| coach_years2 = 2011
| coach_team2 = St. Thomas (MN) (TE)
| coach_years3 = 2012
| coach_team3 = Rutgers (Player development)
| coach_years4 = 2013
| coach_team4 = Rutgers (WR)
| coach_years5 = 2014–2016
| coach_team5 = Western Michigan (WR)
| coach_years6 = 2017–2018
| coach_team6 = Minnesota (WR)
| coach_years7 = 2019
| coach_team7 = Minnesota (Passing game coordinator/WR)
| coach_years8 = 2018
| coach_team8 = Minnesota (Interim OC/WR)
| coach_years9 = 2020–present
| coach_team9 = Minnesota (Co-OC/WR)
| overall_record =
| bowl_record =
| tournament_record =
| championships =
| awards =
}}
Matt Simon (born December 4, 1985) is an American football coach and former player who is currently the co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. He played college football for the Northern Illinois Huskies.
== Playing career ==
Despite being offered a preferred walk-on spot at Minnesota, Simon chose play wide receiver at Northern Illinois.{{cite web |last1=Greder |first1=Andy |title=Gophers coach Matt Simon uniquely qualified to recruit state |url=https://www.twincities.com/2017/08/27/gophers-coach-matt-simon-uniquely-qualified-to-recruit-state/ |website=Twin Cities Pioneer Press |date=28 August 2017 |access-date=19 July 2020}}
He signed with the New Orleans Saints after his career at Northern Illinois as an undrafted free agent, spending time on their practice squad for the 2009 and taking a year off, before rejoining them for the 2010 season.{{cite web |title=FHS football standout Simon signs with New Orleans Saints |url=https://www.rivertowns.net/sports/1066727-fhs-football-standout-simon-signs-new-orleans-saints |website=RiverTowns |access-date=19 July 2020}}
== Coaching career ==
= Early coaching career =
After failing to make the Saints active roster in 2010, he joined the coaching staff at his alma mater Northern Illinois as an offensive quality control coach. He spent one season at the University of St. Thomas as a tight ends coach before joining the coaching staff at Rutgers.
= Rutgers =
Simon joined the staff at Rutgers in 2012 as a player development coach. During his stint as a player development coach, Simon worked with the Scarlet Knights special teams unit.{{cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Megan |title=Gophers' Joe Rossi advises Matt Simon during role changes |url=https://www.startribune.com/gophers-joe-rossi-advises-matt-simon-during-role-changes/566557022/ |website=Star Tribune |access-date=19 July 2020}} He was promoted to wide receivers coach in 2013,
= Western Michigan =
Simon was named the wide receivers coach at Western Michigan in 2014, joining the coaching staff of P. J. Fleck, who was Simon's position coach for the last two seasons of Simon's playing career.{{cite web |title=Matt Simon announced as WR coach |url=https://wmubroncos.com/news/2014/2/26/209418756.aspx |website=Western Michigan Athletics |access-date=19 July 2020}} During his time at Western Michigan, Simon was pivotal in the development of receiver Corey Davis, who set the NCAA Division I FBS record for most career receiving yards during his time at Western Michigan and was the highest NFL draft pick from Western Michigan.
= Minnesota =
After Fleck was named the head coach at Minnesota, Simon joined Fleck's staff as the wide receivers coach. He added passing game coordinator to his duties for the 2019 season.
After offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca left to be the offensive coordinator at rival Penn State, Simon was named the interim offensive coordinator for the 2020 Outback Bowl against Auburn.{{cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Megan |title=Game plan set, Gophers turn offense over to wide receivers coach Matt Simon |url=https://www.startribune.com/game-plan-set-gophers-turn-offense-over-to-wide-receivers-coach-matt-simon/566505252/ |website=Star Tribune |access-date=19 July 2020}} Simon's performance as the offensive play-caller was praised by Fleck and others as the Gophers offense put up 494 total yards in the 31–24 victory.{{cite web |last1=Greder |first1=Andy |title=Gophers' P.J. Fleck said interim coordinator Matt Simon had 'tremendous game' |url=https://www.twincities.com/2020/01/01/gophers-pj-fleck-said-interim-coordinator-matt-simon-called-a-tremendous-game/ |website=Twin Cities Pioneer Press |date=2 January 2020 |access-date=19 July 2020}}
After Mike Sanford Jr. was hired to be the Gophers offensive coordinator, Simon was promoted to co-offensive coordinator. {{cite web |last1=Schutte |first1=Dustin |title=P.J. Fleck explains roles for Mike Sanford Jr., Matt Simon next season |url=https://saturdaytradition.com/minnesota-football/p-j-fleck-explains-roles-for-mike-sanford-jr-matt-simon-next-season/ |website=Saturday Tradition |date=5 January 2020 |access-date=19 July 2020}}
Personal life and education
A native of Farmington, Minnesota, Simon attended Farmington High School, graduating in 2004. He graduated from Northern Illinois in 2008 with a degree in organizational management. During his break off from the NFL, Simon worked at an oil equipment rental company in Louisiana.{{cite web |title=Behind The Facemask With Matt Simon |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/behind-the-facemask-with-matt-simon-2536175 |website=New Orleans Saints |access-date=19 July 2020}}
Simon married his wife Charlotte in July 2016. They have a son, Dean.
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
- [https://gophersports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/matt-simon/2178 Minnesota Golden Gophers bio]
- [https://wmubroncos.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/matt-simon/756 Western Michigan Broncos bio]
{{Big Ten Conference offensive coordinator navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Simon, Matt}}
Category:People from Farmington, Minnesota
Category:Sportspeople from Dakota County, Minnesota
Category:Players of American football from Minnesota
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Northern Illinois Huskies football players
Category:New Orleans Saints players
Category:Northern Illinois Huskies football coaches
Category:St. Thomas (Minnesota) Tommies football coaches
Category:Rutgers Scarlet Knights football coaches