USF Athletics

Years In Coaching: 17th
Years at USF: 1st
Alma Mater: Edinboro College (Pa.), 2003
Family: Wife: Sara; Sons: Justus and Massai; Daughters: Siena and Mischa
Hometown: -
 
NOTABLE:
• In four seasons at JMU, the defense ranked in the top 10 nationally in total defense in each season.
• In 2021, JMU led the nation in takeaways (31), including 18 interceptions.
• Mentored 2021 FCS All-American Greg Ross, who had four interceptions and a team-high 12 pass breakups.
• Coached for seven seasons at Maine. In 2018, the Black Bears turned in their best season in program history, winning the CAA championship, reaching the FCS semifinals for the first time ever, and leading the league in six defensive categories.
• As a player, helped lead Edinboro College to a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship.
       
Matt Birkett was named as the Bulls’ cornerbacks coach in December of 2022, joining head coach Alex Golesh’s first USF staff.
 
Birkett brought 16 years of coaching experience to USF, most recently spending four seasons on the staff at James Madison University as the dominant FCS program transitioned to FBS football, posting an 8-3 record and mid-year top 25 ranking in its first season in 2022.  
 
Working primarily with the cornerbacks at JMU (2019-22), Birkett guided three Dukes to all-conference honors and had one earn FCS All-America honors at cornerback in 2021.
 
During that span, the JMU defense ranked top 10 nationally in total defense in each of those seasons, including in the 2022 season, its first competing at the FBS level. The Dukes were also top 10 in scoring defense in each of their final three seasons while an FCS member.

In 2022, JMU’s defense was among the best in the Sun Belt and the nation, helping the team to an 8-3 record and 6-2 mark in conference play to finish tied atop the East Division. The Dukes ranked second nationally in first-down defense (13.82), fifth in third-down defense (28.4%), eighth in total defense (289.5) and 10th in takeaways (24). JMU additionally ranked 29th in scoring defense, allowing 20.9 points per game.
 
Cornerback Jordan Swann was named Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt. His position group accounted for 15 pass breakups and four interceptions to go with two fumble recoveries and a pair of forced fumbles. Swann ranked second for JMU with two interceptions and true freshman Chauncey Logan had a team-best 10 pass breakups.
 
In 2021, JMU led the nation in turnover margin (+1.36) and takeaways (31). Of the team’s 18 interceptions, Birkett’s corners accounted for seven, including a team-leading four from All-American Greg Ross. Ross also had a team-high 12 pass breakups.
 
During the spring 2020-21 campaign (moved due to COVID-19), Wesley McCormick led the Dukes with three interceptions, while Taurus Carroll had a pair. Carroll also made two more in his senior year that following fall.
 
In his first season with the Dukes in 2019, Birkett helped Rashad Robinson earn Second Team All-CAA honors. His group made four interceptions to help the JMU lead the league and rank seventh in the FCS with 17 picks.

Birkett came to JMU following a seven-year stint on staff at Maine (2012-18), which included five on the defensive side of the ball. He was defensive backs coach for the 2017 and 2018 seasons, while also leading the cornerbacks for three years (2014-16) and running backs (2013) and tight ends (2012) for one season each.

He was part of leading Maine’s defense to ranking as one of the nation’s best at the FCS level. In 2018, the Black Bears turned in their best season in program history, winning the CAA championship, reaching the FCS semifinals for the first time ever, and leading the league in six defensive categories.
 
Maine ranked sixth nationally with a CAA-best 18 interceptions as Birkett guided Manny Patterson to First Team All-CAA and Second Team All-America status after he led the conference for the second straight year with 22 pass breakups and 25 total passes defended, which ranked third in FCS football. Patterson was also a second team all-conference selection in 2017 after tallying a CAA-high 17 pass breakups. Birkett also coached freshman Katley Joseph, who ranked second in the CAA with 12 pass breakups and 13 passes defended in 2018.
 
In 2017, he mentored a veteran Black Bears unit to 11 interceptions. The 2016 season saw Najee Goode earn Third Team All-CAA honors after he ranked tied for third in the conference with three forced fumbles and nine passes defended, which included a pair of interceptions.
 
In 2015, he mentored a young cornerback tandem, which assisted Maine in ranking third in the CAA in total defense (316.8). Maine produced 12 interceptions, including five coming from the corners. In his first season working with the corners in 2014, he helped the Black Bears to a No. 2 ranking in the CAA in total defense, which was also ranked 15th nationally. They also led the league and ranked eighth in the FCS in defensive pass efficiency while placing second in the league in pass defense (172.2) and producing 14 interceptions. That season produced an all-conference selection in Axel Ofori.
 
Birkett’s running backs rushed for 174.5 yards per game and tallied 21 scores in 2013. He guided three backs to over 500 rushing yards that season and Nigel Jones ranked tied for fifth in the CAA with eight rushing scores. In his first season on staff at Maine, Birkett coached Justin Perillo, who was an All-CAA selection and finished second on the team with five receiving touchdowns before signing a contract with the Green Bay Packers.
 
Birkett came to Maine following one season at Chaminade High School in California (2011), where he was defensive backs coach, helped the team to a 10-2 record while reaching the 2011 California Interscholastic Federation semifinals. He also had stops at UCLA (2010), Pac-Five High School in Hawaii (2008-09), Rindge and Latin High School in Massachusetts (2007).
 
He is a 2003 graduate of Edinboro College, where he led the Scots to a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship. He also played at Rhode Island where he was named the team’s co-MVP in 1999.

Birkett and his wife Sara have two sons, Justus and Massai, and two daughters, Siena and Mischa.

Year-by-Year
2023-         USF                                        Cornerbacks Coach
2019-22     JMU                                        Cornerbacks Coach
2017-18     Maine                                      Defensive Backs Coach
2014-16     Maine                                      Cornerbacks Coach
2013          Maine                                      Running Backs Coach
2012          Maine                                      Tight Ends Coach
2011          Chaminade HS (Calif.)            Defensive Backs Coach
2010          UCLA                                      
2008-09     Pac-Five HS (Hawaii)
2007          Rindge and Latin HS (Mass.)