TAMPA, JAN. 4, 2023 – University of South Florida Head Coach Alex Golesh has named Matthew Middleton as the Bulls’ wide receivers coach, completing the offensive coaching staff for his first USF team.
Middleton comes to USF with 15 years of experience coaching wide receivers on the collegiate level, most recently serving five seasons as wide receivers coach at Kent State under head coach Sean Lewis. His time at Kent State saw the program post offense ranked in the top five in program history, set a season record for passing offense and earn the program’s first-ever bowl victory.
“Matthew was part of producing record-setting offenses at Kent State and mentored several highly-productive, all-conference receivers,” Golesh said. “He played the position at an all-conference level and will relate very well to the student-athletes in our program. I am excited to welcome Matthew and his family to our Bulls family and to have him join us in building one of the most dynamic offenses in college football.”
In five seasons at Kent State (2018-22), Middleton guided wide receivers to six all-conference selections, including four first-team honors. In 2022, wide receiver Dante Cephas earned his second first-team all-conference honor and Devontez Walker was named first team as well, as Kent State passed for more than 2,500 yards for the fourth time in Middleton’s five seasons.
Cephas finished second in the MAC averaging 82.7 yards per game (97.8 yards per game in MAC play) and he and Walker were two of three MAC receivers who averaged over 15 yards per catch. He set a Kent State record with a 246-yard (13 reception) performance in a win over Ohio. In his first season as a starter, Walker set the program record with 11 touchdown catches (T1st in the MAC/6th in FBS) and his 921 receiving yards led the conference and ranked as the third-most in program history. He also finished among MAC leaders in receptions (58) and yards per catch (15.9).
In 2021, the Golden Flashes set a school record for passing offense (3,435 yards) and ranked fourth in the nation in total offense (493.7 yards per game), in no small part due to a great collection of wide receivers. Cephas was named to the All-MAC First Team after posting 82 catches for 1,240 yards and nine touchdowns. Two other receivers from Middleton's unit drew attention from professional teams after leaving Kent State. Nykeim Johnson signed with the BC Lions of the CFL, while Keshunn Abram participated in training camp with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent.
In the shortened 2020 season, Kent State went 3-1 and averaged 49.75 points and 606.5 yards per game. Junior wide receiver Isaiah McKoy picked up first team All-MAC honors after finishing third in the MAC in yards per catch (18.1) and yards per game (113). McKoy topped 100 yards in three of four games and had at least one touchdown in all four games. Kent State’s passing game ranked second in the MAC with 323.5 yards per game.
In 2019, the Golden Flashes averaged 405.6 yards per game (third in program history) and logged 2,849 passing yards (second in program history) while totaling 42 touchdowns (fifth). The Flashes eclipsed 50 points in the program's first-ever bowl win in school history as Kent State outscored Utah State, 51-41, to secure a victory in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl.
Middleton's receiver room put two players on the all-MAC third team, McKoy and Mike Carrigan. McKoy led the Flashes with 56 receptions, 872 yards and eight touchdowns, cracking the top-10 in program history in all three categories and leading the MAC in yards per game and touchdowns. Carrigan caught 44 balls for 570 yards and five touchdowns.
Under Middleton's guidance, the Kent State wide receiver unit saw an immediate jump in production in 2018. Antwan Dixon hauled in 52 receptions, the ninth most in a single season in program history. Carrigan produced a team-leading 597 receiving yards and five touchdowns in his junior season.
Middleton arrived at Kent State after spending the previous five seasons as both wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at South Dakota (2013-17). In 2017, the Coyotes advanced to the second round of the FCS playoffs, while averaging 333 passing yards per game.
Middleton worked with wide receivers as a graduate assistant for one season at the University of Kansas (2012).
Middleton spent a season coaching at Division II Chadron State College (Neb.) (2011), coaching wide receivers and special teams returners. He held the same title at Nebraska-Omaha (2009-10) for two seasons when he was on staff with Sean Lewis.
A native of Kansas City, Kan., Middleton’s first coaching experience came as a wide receivers coach at his alma mater NAIA Ottawa University (Kan.) (2008). He was a three-time all-conference selection as a wide receiver at Ottawa and remains the program’s all-time leader in receptions.
Middleton earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management from Ottawa in 2008 and went on to earn a master’s degree from Nebraska-Omaha.
He and his wife Jenna have two sons, Evan and Elijah, and two daughters, Bria and Cora.
