Former NFL player named Knoxville Catholic’s head football coach

Knoxville Catholic High School has hired Steve Matthews, a former NFL player, as its new head football coach.

Mr. Matthews was introduced to the team Dec. 21.

“We are very excited to have Steve Matthews as our new coach,” said Knoxville Catholic principal Dickie Sompayrac. “Our search committee has been impressed with his passion for the game and his demonstrated ability to teach the game to young people. In addition to being a committed husband and father, Steve is a cradle Catholic who grew up going to Catholic schools and understands the importance of a quality education in a mission-driven environment. Both of Steve’s parents attended the University of Notre Dame. We couldn’t be happier with the direction of our program.”

Introducing new KCHS football coach

Mr. Matthews succeeds Scott Meadows at the helm of the Fighting Irish.

The new coach comes to KCHS from Siegel High School in Murfreesboro, where he has served as offensive coordinator since 2010. Siegel’s teams averaged 43 points per game during Mr. Matthews’ tenure there. Before that he was head coach at Moore County High School in Lynchburg, where he led the team to a second-place finish in its district, its highest in 10 years, and to its second playoff appearance in 10 years.

Mr. Matthews served as quarterbacks coach at Tullahoma High School from 2005 to 2007. He also was a head coach in arena football for the Nashville Kats in 2002, the Memphis Xplorers in 2003, and the Albany Conquest in 2004.
He played five seasons in the National Football League, first for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1994 to 1997, then the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1997 and the Tennessee Oilers in 1998. Mr. Matthews played collegiately for the University of Tennessee from 1989 to 1991 and Memphis State University in 1992-93.

Mr. Matthews earned a bachelor of science degree in physical education from Middle Tennessee State University in 2000.