Recruiting Territories: Central Minnesota, Central Wisconsin, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada.
Matthew Wood is in his first season as a member of the St. Olaf football coaching staff in 2024-25 and currently serves as the run game coordinator and linebackers coach.
Prior to arriving at St. Olaf, Wood served as the linebackers and nickels coach in 2020 at Hamline University before being promoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2023. During his time at Hamline, Wood coached one player to All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) honors and two MIAC Defensive Players of the Week.
With Wood on staff, the Pipers won more games than the previous four years combined. He was instrumental in solidifying the defensive run game, improving it by almost 100 spots (94) in the national rankings, and the Pipers were a mainstay in the top-150 defenses in the nation against the run.
During his time as co-defensive coordinator, the Pipers' red zone defense improved significantly, giving up nine fewer touchdowns and improving almost 50 spots nationally (49) in total red zone defense, while holding five teams under 4.0 yards per carry and two teams under 85 yards rushing. Under his tutelage, the linebackers and nickels improved significantly in tackle production, with his linebackers accounting for 47 percent of the tackles, an improvement of 18 percent, with his players consistently showing up in the top-25 players in the MIAC in tackles.
Prior to arriving at Hamline, Wood served as the outside linebackers and safeties coach at Spring Lake Park High School. During his tenure at Spring Lake Park, he helped lead a defense that allowed an average of just 16 points per game while coaching three all-state selection and 12 all-conference performers. The Panthers made three appearances in the state tournament with Wood on staff, including a runner-up finish in 2016.
Prior to Spring Lake Park, Wood served as the head coach of the junior high team at United South Central while also coaching the defensive backs during the 2014 and 2015 seasons.
Wood was a defensive back at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls where he studied agribusiness.
Quick Facts
Hometown: Wells, Minnesota
High School: United South Central H.S.
College: University of Wisconsin–River Falls - Agribusiness
Coaching Experience
2024-pres - St. Olaf College – Run Game Coordinator / Linebackers
2023 – Hamline University – Co-Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers / Nickels
2020-2023 - Hamline University - Linebackers / Nickels
2016-2020 – Spring Lake Park High School – Outside Linebackers / Safeties
2014-2015 – United South Central High School - Defensive Backs / Junior High Head Coach
