The University of Akron Athletics
Football
Feeney, Matt
Matt Feeney
- Title:
- Assistant Coach | Defensive Coordinator | Inside Linebackers
- Email:
- fbrecruit@uakron.edu
- Phone:
- (330) 972-7466
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Matt Feeney is in his third season as the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach in 2021 at the University of Akron.
He came to Akron from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga after two seasons. Feeney served as the Mocs' defensive coordinator in 2018 after coaching the linebackers in 2017. In 2018, Feeney’s defense was ranked No. 1 in the Southern Conference in scoring defense (18.5), pass defense (172.0), interception return average (31.9), interception return yards (31.9), fumble returns (20.0), rumbles recovered (20.0), and red zone defense (68.0).
Senior defensive lineman Isaiah Mack was named the consensus 2018 Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year, while six of Feeney’s Mocs earned defensive All-Conference honors– Mack, DB Brandon Dowdell, DB Kareem Orr, DL Derek Mahaffey, LB Marshall Cooper, and DL Devonnsha Marshall. Mack, who was selected to play in the NFLPA game, was named to Phil Steele’s FCS All-American first team and Athlon Sport’s FCS All-American squad. Maxwell was named first-team Freshman All-America by Phil Steele. Mack and Orr signed with the Tennessee Titans as undrafted free agents.
In 2017, Feeney helped lead a UTC defensive side that was No. 1 in the Southern Conference and No. 25 in the FCS in total defense (326.4). Feeney coached first-year inside linebacker Tae Davis, no with the New York Giants. Signed as an undrafted free agent, Davis played in four games with four starts as a rookie. In his first season at linebacker as a senior in 2017, Davis played in nine games and let the team with 74 tackles, including 42 solo stops. He played in the NFLPA game.
Prior to joining Chattanooga's program, he spent three seasons at John Carroll University.
Feeney was a standout linebacker and team captain for the Blue Streaks from 2010-13, earning the Gene Slaughter Most Outstanding Linebacker Award as a senior as the top linebacker in the Ohio Athletic Conference.
After earning his degree in marketing in 2014, he stepped in as the linebackers coach at JCU. His first season, he coached Kevin Cope to a Gene Slaughter Award and All-American honors, while Jimmy King earned second-team All-League honors.
In 2015, Feeney helped Andy Bryan earn first-team All-OAC recognition, while also adding the duties of special teams co-coordinator. Mason McKenrick also earned the Slaughter Award under Feeney’s guidance. McKenrick was the North Region Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-America selection. The Blue Streaks’ defense finished in the Top 15 in the nation each of his last three years at John Carroll.
Feeney, 30, is married to the former Katie Yoho. The couple has a daughter, Ara, born on May 15, 2018.
What they are saying about Matt Feeney
"Matt embodies all the special traits of a great coach. He's passionate, bright, humble, and competitive. He was one of the most impactful people at John Carroll as both a player and a coach and truly personified ‘Our Way.’ UTC is incredibly fortunate to have him as the leader of their defense."
– Brandon Staley
Outside Lincebackers Coach
Chicago Bears
"After getting to know Matt now for a couple of years and talking football with him multiple times, it's easy to see that he has an excellent football mind. He grasps how important it is to be able to play fast as a defensive unit and what to do to keep an offense off balance. I think he will be an excellent play-caller and he will continue to come up with sound ideas that put his players in the best spots possible to be able to make plays. He is an excellent communicator; he won't flinch and is mentally tough. Great hire by head coach Tom Arth.”
– Jonathan Gannon
Defensive Backs Coach
Indianapolis Colts
"I had Matt Feeney his first year of coaching, and I knew right away he was a star. He is an extremely intelligent football coach who has a natural feel for the game. In addition, he is a great teacher and communicator who cares about and builds relationships with his players. I have 100% confidence Matt will do a phenomenal job in leading the Zips’ defense."
– Chris Shula
Linebackers Coach
Los Angeles Rams
"With Matt Feeney as defensive coordinator, Akron football is getting one of the most diligent workers and brightest young minds in college football and his impact on their defense will be recognized immediately. Congrats and best of luck to Coach Feeney and the Zips."
– Frank Ross
Assistant Special Teams Coach
Indianapolis Colts
11-4-21
Matt Feeney is in his third season as the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach in 2021 at the University of Akron.
He came to Akron from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga after two seasons. Feeney served as the Mocs' defensive coordinator in 2018 after coaching the linebackers in 2017. In 2018, Feeney’s defense was ranked No. 1 in the Southern Conference in scoring defense (18.5), pass defense (172.0), interception return average (31.9), interception return yards (31.9), fumble returns (20.0), rumbles recovered (20.0), and red zone defense (68.0).
Senior defensive lineman Isaiah Mack was named the consensus 2018 Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year, while six of Feeney’s Mocs earned defensive All-Conference honors– Mack, DB Brandon Dowdell, DB Kareem Orr, DL Derek Mahaffey, LB Marshall Cooper, and DL Devonnsha Marshall. Mack, who was selected to play in the NFLPA game, was named to Phil Steele’s FCS All-American first team and Athlon Sport’s FCS All-American squad. Maxwell was named first-team Freshman All-America by Phil Steele. Mack and Orr signed with the Tennessee Titans as undrafted free agents.
In 2017, Feeney helped lead a UTC defensive side that was No. 1 in the Southern Conference and No. 25 in the FCS in total defense (326.4). Feeney coached first-year inside linebacker Tae Davis, no with the New York Giants. Signed as an undrafted free agent, Davis played in four games with four starts as a rookie. In his first season at linebacker as a senior in 2017, Davis played in nine games and let the team with 74 tackles, including 42 solo stops. He played in the NFLPA game.
Prior to joining Chattanooga's program, he spent three seasons at John Carroll University.
Feeney was a standout linebacker and team captain for the Blue Streaks from 2010-13, earning the Gene Slaughter Most Outstanding Linebacker Award as a senior as the top linebacker in the Ohio Athletic Conference.
After earning his degree in marketing in 2014, he stepped in as the linebackers coach at JCU. His first season, he coached Kevin Cope to a Gene Slaughter Award and All-American honors, while Jimmy King earned second-team All-League honors.
In 2015, Feeney helped Andy Bryan earn first-team All-OAC recognition, while also adding the duties of special teams co-coordinator. Mason McKenrick also earned the Slaughter Award under Feeney’s guidance. McKenrick was the North Region Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-America selection. The Blue Streaks’ defense finished in the Top 15 in the nation each of his last three years at John Carroll.
Feeney, 30, is married to the former Katie Yoho. The couple has a daughter, Ara, born on May 15, 2018.
What they are saying about Matt Feeney
"Matt embodies all the special traits of a great coach. He's passionate, bright, humble, and competitive. He was one of the most impactful people at John Carroll as both a player and a coach and truly personified ‘Our Way.’ UTC is incredibly fortunate to have him as the leader of their defense."
– Brandon Staley
Outside Lincebackers Coach
Chicago Bears
"After getting to know Matt now for a couple of years and talking football with him multiple times, it's easy to see that he has an excellent football mind. He grasps how important it is to be able to play fast as a defensive unit and what to do to keep an offense off balance. I think he will be an excellent play-caller and he will continue to come up with sound ideas that put his players in the best spots possible to be able to make plays. He is an excellent communicator; he won't flinch and is mentally tough. Great hire by head coach Tom Arth.”
– Jonathan Gannon
Defensive Backs Coach
Indianapolis Colts
"I had Matt Feeney his first year of coaching, and I knew right away he was a star. He is an extremely intelligent football coach who has a natural feel for the game. In addition, he is a great teacher and communicator who cares about and builds relationships with his players. I have 100% confidence Matt will do a phenomenal job in leading the Zips’ defense."
– Chris Shula
Linebackers Coach
Los Angeles Rams
"With Matt Feeney as defensive coordinator, Akron football is getting one of the most diligent workers and brightest young minds in college football and his impact on their defense will be recognized immediately. Congrats and best of luck to Coach Feeney and the Zips."
– Frank Ross
Assistant Special Teams Coach
Indianapolis Colts
11-4-21
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