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Matt Simon (American football, born 1985)

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Not to be confused with Matt Simon (American football, born 1953).

Matt Simon
Current position
TitleCo-Offensive coordinator
Wide receivers coach
TeamMinnesota Golden Gophers
ConferenceBig Ten
Biographical details
Born (1985-12-04) December 4, 1985 (age 38)
Farmington, Minnesota, U.S.
Alma materNorthern Illinois University
Playing career
2004–2008Northern Illinois
Position(s)Wide receiver
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2010Northern Illinois (Offensive quality control)
2011St. Thomas (MN) (TE)
2012Rutgers (Player development)
2013Rutgers (WR)
2014–2016Western Michigan (WR)
2017–2018Minnesota (WR)
2019Minnesota (Passing game coordinator/WR)
2018Minnesota (Interim OC/WR)
2020–presentMinnesota (Co-OC/WR)

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

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Despite being offered a preferred walk-on spot at Minnesota, Simon chose play wide receiver at Northern Illinois.[1]

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.[2]

Coaching career

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Early coaching career

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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

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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.[3] He was promoted to wide receivers coach in 2013,

Western Michigan

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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.[4] 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

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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.[5] 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.[6]

After Mike Sanford Jr. was hired to be the Gophers offensive coordinator, Simon was promoted to co-offensive coordinator. [7]

Personal life and education

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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.[8]

Simon married his wife Charlotte in July 2016. They have a son, Dean.

References

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  1. ^ Greder, Andy (August 28, 2017). "Gophers coach Matt Simon uniquely qualified to recruit state". Twin Cities Pioneer Press. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  2. ^ "FHS football standout Simon signs with New Orleans Saints". RiverTowns. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  3. ^ Ryan, Megan. "Gophers' Joe Rossi advises Matt Simon during role changes". Star Tribune. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  4. ^ "Matt Simon announced as WR coach". Western Michigan Athletics. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  5. ^ Ryan, Megan. "Game plan set, Gophers turn offense over to wide receivers coach Matt Simon". Star Tribune. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  6. ^ Greder, Andy (January 2, 2020). "Gophers' P.J. Fleck said interim coordinator Matt Simon had 'tremendous game'". Twin Cities Pioneer Press. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  7. ^ Schutte, Dustin (January 5, 2020). "P.J. Fleck explains roles for Mike Sanford Jr., Matt Simon next season". Saturday Tradition. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  8. ^ "Behind The Facemask With Matt Simon". New Orleans Saints. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
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