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Mattix named defensive ends coach at OU; Albin announces 2024 staff updates

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Kurt Mattix. (Ohio University photo)
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Ohio University, Press Release, https://ohiobobcats.com/

The Ohio University football program welcomes Kurt Mattix to their coaching staff, announced recently by head coach Tim Albin, along with multiple coaching staff changes for the 2024 season. 

Mattix joins the Bobcats as the defensive ends coach. 
 
"Kurt brings over 20 years of defensive coaching experience that aligns with our defensive footprint here at Ohio University by stopping the run, being multiple and getting the best 11 players on the field," said Albin. "We are very excited to have him be a part of the Bobcat family."
 
Mattix comes to Ohio by way of San Diego State, where he served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 2020-23. Since Mattix took over as the defensive coordinator, the Aztecs rank ninth in rushing defense, 17th in total defense and 18th in scoring and pass efficiency rating. 

The 2023 season saw Mattix's defense force 18 turnovers with 10 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries. The 10 interceptions ranked 22nd in FBS and this performance earned three athletes All-Mountain West honors. 
 
The most recent of Mattix's well-decorated student-athletes is Jonah Tavai, who was named all-American by Pro Football Focus, Bleacher Report, Associated Press, USA Today, and College Football Network after the 2022 season. He also coached lineman Cameron Thomas, who was named 2021 Mountain-West Defensive Player of the Year and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
 
Prior to SDSU, Mattix served as Eastern Kentucky's defensive coordinator from 2016-19. The Colonels' defensive unit was regarded as one of the leaders in the Ohio Valley Conference in 2019, leading the conference in third down percentage, fourth down percentage, red zone percentage, tackles for loss per game and first downs allowed. They ranked second among OVC teams in scoring defense, rush defense and total defense. EKU held its opponents to under 100 yards rushing six times during the 2019 campaign, highlighted holding Tennessee Tech to two yards and Murray State to 22 yards. 
 
Mattix spent the 2015 season as the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach at his alma mater, Valparaiso, after working with the defensive line, linebackers and rush backers at Michigan from 2011-15. 

Prior to Michigan, Mattix served as the tight ends coach at Ball State from 2009-11, returning five years after served as a graduate assistant for the Cardinals' football program. Mattix also held positions at Saint Joseph's College, Wayne State, Anderson University and Trine University after starting his career at Portage High School in Indiana. 
 
Mattix started his collegiate career at the University of Indianapolis, where he was a student-athlete from 1994-95 before using his final two years of eligibility at Valparaiso. He earned his bachelor's degree in physical education at Valparaiso in 1999.
 
"I am super excited to be a part of this staff and happy to be back in the Midwest," said Mattix. "Looking forward to helping this team in any way that I can."
 
The 2024 season will see a shift in responsibilities for coaches on both sides of the ball. Defensive changes include John Hauser becoming the defensive coordinator and Tremayne Scott overseeing the defensive line. 

On the other side of the ball, Brian Smith is taking on play-calling responsibilities as the offensive coordinator, while Scott Isphording will take on passing game coordinator responsibilities. 

Additionally, linebackers graduate assistant Clay Finney will be staying with the program full-time as the director of recruiting. 
 
"I am confident this restructure will immediately impact our student-athletes' success," said Albin. "My staff and I are enjoying spring practice and looking forward to carrying the momentum from Ohio's first ever back-to-back 10-win seasons into the 2024 season." 
 
Hauser is entering his third season with Ohio. He started his tenure with the Bobcats as the team's safeties coach before adding defensive passing game coordinator to his title prior to the 2023 season. 

Scott has worked with defensive tackles for the past five seasons. An Ohio football alumnus himself, Scott played in 35 games on the defensive line for the Bobcats from 2009-12. While on Scott was on the team, Ohio claimed two MAC East Division titles and won their first two bowl games. 
 
Smith joined the Ohio as the running backs coach and passing game coordinator prior to the 2022 season and was promoted to associate head coach in 2023. 

Isphording is entering his 12th season with Ohio and his 20th in the Mid-American Conference, previously holding positions with Toledo and Eastern Michigan. He has coached some of the most prolific Ohio quarterbacks during his time in Athens. 

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