Murray State University Athletics
Matheny Named Offensive Coordinator
1/15/2008 8:00:00 AM | Football
Murray State head coach Matt Griffin announced Monday that Keeth Matheny has been hired to serve as the offensive coordinator for the Racers. Matheny was introduced at a press conference in the Racer Room.
"We are thrilled to have Keeth join the Murray State football family," said third-year head coach Matt Griffin. "Keeth is a proven leader and has had great success at every school he has coached. He brings a system that fits the strengths of our offensive personnel."
Matheny, 37, comes to MSU after serving the previous two season's as the offensive coordinator, and wide receivers/quarterbacks coach at Northern Arizona. In his two season's with the Lumberjacks, Matheny engineered an offense that averaged over 400 yards a game and was among the Big Sky Conference leaders in scoring, including leading the conference in both categories in 2006. In his first season in Flagstaff, Matheny tutored the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year and Walter Payton Award (FCS equivalent of the Heisman Trophy) runner-up at quarterback.
He has consistently coached his players to all-conference honors, tutoring 25 of his 28 players position players over the last eight years. All nine quarterbacks have earned all-league honors.
Prior to his time at NAU, Matheny spent two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Missouri Southern. In his first season, Matheny saw the Lions produce one of the finest offensive seasons in history as they broke or tied more than 30 school offensive records.
Matheny went to MSSU after spending time as the head coach of the Wichita Falls Thunder, a professional indoor football team and as offensive coordinator at Wichita Falls (Texas) Rider High School.
At Truman State from 1999-2001, he coached one of the top offensive units in the MIAA and was the position coach for two Harlon Hill finalists. The Harlon Hill trophy is the Division II equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.
While at Truman, his passing offense averaged more than 280 yards a game and consistently ranked among the nation's top 25 units through the air.
Matheny left TSU for a similar post at Midwestern State following the 2001 season and coached his third Harlon Hill Trophy finalist.
Following the 2002 season, Matheny was a national finalist for the American Football Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year award, which is based on the coach's impact on student-athletes, commitment to community service and on-field performance.
Matheny also served as offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College, and also taught in the psychology and athletics departments before taking the Truman job. Matheny also served as defensive coordinator in 1996 at Sunnyside High School, a 5A school in Tucson, Ariz.
A native of Pensacola, Fla., Matheny received his bachelor's degree in psychology with a concentration in sport psychology/performance enhancement from the University of Florida in 1993. While at Florida, he also served as a student assistant coach for the Gators under Steve Spurrier. Matheny earned his master's degree in exercise and sport science/psychology of performance from the University of Arizona in 1996.
Matheny has been a sport psychology lecturer and camp coach at Arizona and Florida and has authored several articles for American Football Monthly and AFCA Extra Point.
Matheny is married to the former Cory Krantz and they have a son, Truman (7), and a daughter, Carter Rose (3).
THE KEETH MATHENY FILE
Keeth Matheny, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Born: November 19, 1970
College: Florida, 1993
Family: Married to the former Cory Krantz and they have a 6-year-old son, Truman, and a 2-year old daughter, Carter Rose
Matheny' Coaching Chronology
2006-07 Northern Arizona University, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
2004-05 Missouri Southern State University, Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
2003 Wichita Falls Thunder, Head Coach/Wichita Falls (Texas) Rider HS, O.Coordinator
2002 Midwestern State University, Offensive Coordinator
1999-01 Truman State University, Offensive Coordinator
1997-98 Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College, Offensive Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator
1996 Sunnyside High School, Defensive Coordinator
1990-92 University of Florida, Student Assistant Coach
