Kurt Mattix was chosen as EKU's defensive coordinator on Jan. 5, 2016.
Mattix oversaw one of the top defensive units in the Ohio Valley Conference in 2018 and 2019.
In 2018, Mattix’s defense helped the Colonels finish 7-4 and in third place in the OVC. Eastern was second in the conference in points allowed per game and finished second in the OVC in total defense. The Colonels also finished fifth in the nation with 19 interceptions, 12 more picks than the team recorded in 2017.
Three defensive players picked up All-OVC honors at the end of the season – Leodis Moore III (first team), Aaron Patrick (first team) and Cornelius Floyd (second team). Moore, Steven Crowder and Gavin Bryant earned OVC Defensive Player of the Week honors during the 2018 season and received honorable mention recognition for STATS National Defensive Player of the Week.
The 2019 EKU defense was second in the OVC in points allowed, second in total defense, second in rushing defense and third in passing defense. Eastern Kentucky was fifth in the nation in third down defense, seventh in fourth down defense, 11th in red-zone defense, 15th in rushing defense, 16th in total defense and 22nd in scoring defense in 2019.
The Colonels held their opponents to less than 100 yards rushing six times during the 2019 season, including just two yards against Tennessee Tech and 22 yards against Murray State.
Patrick was selected as the 2019 OVC Defensive Player of the Year, was a first team All-American and a finalist for the national defensive player of the year award. Patrick and Taquan Evans earned all-conference recognition.
In his first season, Mattix led a defense that allowed fewer passing yards than any EKU team since 2009 and fewer passing touchdowns (12) than any Colonel defense since 2005 (9). During the 2016 season, the Eastern defense led the OVC and was sixth in the country with 13 fumbles recovered. The Colonels were 25th in the nation with 23 forced turnovers. The team was 16th nationally with three defensive touchdowns. Over the final eight games, EKU registered 21 sacks and for the season was 27th in FCS with 2.45 sacks per game.
The defense improved even more in Mattix’s second season. In 2017 the Colonels allowed their opponents 62 fewer yards and four fewer points per game. An improved rushing defense allowed 571 fewer yards on the ground than the year before. The passing defense improved as well, beating the 2016 total by 112 yards. EKU ranked first in the league and eighth in FCS with 13 fumbles recovered. The Colonels were second in the Ohio Valley Conference and 38th nationally in sacks (2.36/g).
In Mattix’s first season as defensive coordinator, Patrick earned first team all-conference honors and was chosen as a Sophomore All-American by Hero Sports. He was second in the OVC and 42nd in the nation with 0.64 sacks per game. Linebacker Jeffrey Canady totaled 17 tackles in a game on two occasions, tied for the 18th most by an FCS player in 2016.
Under Mattix’s guidance in 2017, Luder Jean Louis and Kobie Grace earned second team All-OVC recognition. Jean Louis led the conference and was ninth in the country in sacks, and second in the OVC and 16th in FCS in tackles for a loss. Grace led the nation in fumbles recovered, and was second in the league and 18th nationally in fumbles forced.
Mattix served as the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach at Valparaiso University during the 2015 season. Before that the Portage, Indiana native spent four seasons (2011-14) as the defensive quality control coach at the University of Michigan.
While working at Michigan under former head coach Brady Hoke, Mattix worked with the defensive line and linebackers, and assisted in all aspects of special teams.
During the 2009 and 2010 seasons, Mattix was the tight ends coach at Ball State. He also has four seasons of experience as a defensive coordinator at Wayne State (2005-07) and Saint Joseph’s College (2008).
Mattix began his coaching career as the offensive line and defensive line coach (1998-99) at Portage High School. He worked as the special teams coordinator at Tri-State University (2000) and Anderson University (2001) before serving as a graduate assistant at Ball State (2002-03).
Throughout his career, Mattix has recruited Florida, Michigan, northwest Ohio and Indiana. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education while playing at Valparaiso.
Kurt Mattix Year-By-Year
| Year |
School |
Position |
Notes |
| 1998 |
Portage High School |
Offensive & Defensive Line Coach |
|
| 1999 |
Portage High School |
Offensive & Defensive Line Coach |
|
| 2000 |
Tri-State University |
Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers Coach |
|
| 2001 |
Anderson University |
Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers Coach |
|
| 2002 |
Ball State |
Graduate Assistant - Defensive Line |
|
| 2003 |
Ball State |
Graduate Assistant - Secondary |
|
| 2004 |
Wayne State |
Secondary Coach |
|
| 2005 |
Wayne State |
Defensive Coordinator |
|
| 2006 |
Wayne State |
Defensive Coordinator |
|
| 2007 |
Wayne State |
Defensive Coordinator |
|
| 2008 |
Saint Joseph's |
Asst. Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator |
|
| 2009 |
Ball State |
Tight Ends Coach |
|
| 2010 |
Ball State |
Tight Ends Coach |
|
| 2011 |
Michigan |
Quality Control - Defensive Line/Linebackers |
11-2, won Sugar Bowl |
| 2012 |
Michigan |
Quality Control - Defensive Line/Linebackers |
Gator Bowl |
| 2013 |
Michigan |
Quality Control - Defensive Line/Linebackers |
Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl |
| 2014 |
Michigan |
Quality Control - Defensive Line/Linebackers |
|
| 2015 |
Valparaiso |
Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers Coach |
|
| 2016 |
Eastern Kentucky |
Defensive Coordinator |
|
| 2017 |
Eastern Kentucky |
Defensive Coordinator |
571 fewer rushing yards than 2016 |
| 2018 |
Eastern Kentucky |
Defensive Coordinator |
7-4, 3rd OVC, 5th in NCAA in INTs |
| 2019 |
Eastern Kentucky |
Defensive Coordinator |
16th in NCAA total defense |
