Matthew Symmes completed his first season as Valpo’s offensive coordinator in 2023.

During Symmes’ first season on staff, the Valpo offense boasted First Team All-PFL selection wide receiver Solomon Davis and a pair of All-PFL Honorable Mention choices, running back Ryan Mann and offensive lineman Carter Woody.

Symmes came to Valpo with an impressive resume featuring Power-5 FBS and NFL coaching experience. Prior to his most recent assignment as senior defensive analyst/assistant linebackers coach at East Carolina University, he was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers coaching staff from 2018-2020, serving as quarterbacks coach and offensive assistant. Symmes, the NFL’s youngest QB coach in 2019, helped the Steelers to the 2020 AFC North championship. He was also on staff at ECU when the team went to the 2021 Military Bowl and won the 2022 Birmingham Bowl.

Symmes previously served as an offensive graduate assistant working with quarterbacks at the University of South Carolina from 2016 to 2017. During that time, the Gamecocks participated in the 2016 Birmingham Bowl and were 2017 Outback Bowl champions. He was on staff at Indiana University in 2015 as assistant quarterbacks coach and offensive graduate assistant, helping the Hoosiers reach the Pinstripe Bowl. In 2014, he contributed to the University of Florida reaching the Birmingham Bowl while serving as offensive graduate assistant for quarterbacks.

Symmes’ impressive resume began at Duke University, where he served as an offensive intern for quarterbacks, special teams quality control and an offensive graduate assistant for quarterbacks during his time on staff, which spanned the 2012 and 2013 seasons. He helped the Blue Devils win the 2013 ACC Coastal Division championship and reach bowl games in both 2012 (Belk Bowl) and 2013 (Chick-Fil-A Bowl). Symmes graduated from Duke University with a bachelor’s degree in history in 2013 before completing his master’s in sports and entertainment management from the University of South Carolina in 2018.

What They’re Saying About Matthew Symmes

Kurt Roper, NC State Quarterbacks Coach: “Matt is the most cutting-edge coach I have been around in my career. He will bring an exciting, wide open offense that will be fun to watch each week.”

Kevin Johns, Duke Offensive Coordinator: “Matt Symmes is one of the hardest-working and most talented young coaches I’ve ever been around. His football knowledge is through the roof. He understands how to expose weaknesses in a defense and keep his offense on the attack for four quarters.”