Kansas Wesleyan University

MIDDLETON'S CAREER RECORD
		OVERALL		DIVISION
TEAM	YEAR	W	L	W	L
KWU	2025	7	4	3	2
TOTAL AT KWU		7	4	3	2
CAREER TOTAL		7	4	3	2

Matt Middleton has been the head football coach at Kansas Wesleyan since December 2024. 

2025 was Middleton's first season leading the Coyotes. He led the team to a 7-4 overall record and a 3-2 record in the challenging Bissell Division of the KCAC which featured three nationally ranked teams. The Coyotes overcame many injuries to key players throughout the season to post another over .500 record for the program. while orchestrating one of the most remarkable roster rebuilds in the NAIA. After inheriting a program that had lost 89 players from the previous season, Middleton and his staff signed 91 student-athletes during the spring and summer recruiting periods, rebuilding the roster to 151 players. the Coyotes quickly established themselves among the nation's most disciplined and fundamentally sound teams. Kansas Wesleyan finished second nationally in fewest penalties, committing just 44 penalties throughout the season. Offensively, the Coyotes ranked 9th nationally in third-down conversion percentage, 16th in rushing offense, 18th in total first downs, and allowed only 11 sacks in 336 passing attempts. Defensively, Kansas Wesleyan finished 9th nationally in total defense, 11th in scoring defense, 16th in rushing defense, 20th in sacks, and 23rd in interceptions, illustrating Middleton's commitment to complementary football.

The Coyotes had 10 All-KCAC players, including first-team picks D'Heaven Domena and Jamison Price. The Coyotes picked up a big upset win over then No.18 ranked McPherson on November 8. KWU had a KCAC-best 25 Academic All-KCAC honorees and 15 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes. D'Heaven Domena was also named as a College Sports Communicators Academic All-America selection. 

Before taking over the Coyotes program, Middleton served as Quarterbacks and B-Backs Coach at Harding University from 2023-24, helping guide the Bisons to unprecedented success.
In 2024, Harding won the Great American Conference Championship and advanced to the NCAA Division II Quarterfinals. The Bisons led the nation in rushing offense, third-down conversions, passing efficiency, tackles for loss allowed, and yards per reception, while ranking second nationally in time of possession, third in first downs per game, and fourth in total offense.

During Harding's historic 2023 NCAA Division II National Championship season, Middleton helped coach one of the greatest offenses in Division II history. The Bisons led the nation in rushing offense (410.7 yards per game), yards per carry, passing efficiency, third-down conversion percentage, fourth-down conversion percentage, fewest interceptions thrown, fewest sacks allowed, fewest tackles for loss allowed, time of possession, and yards per reception. Harding rushed for 6,161 yards, establishing the NCAA all-divisions single-season rushing record, while averaging 46.9 points per game and finishing second nationally in scoring offense.

Middleton also coached Blake Delacruz, who earned First Team All-Great American Conference, First Team All-Region, and Second Team Associated Press All-America honors while becoming the first running back in Harding history to earn AP All-America recognition. Delacruz also established Harding's single-season rushing record.

Prior to returning to the collegiate ranks, Middleton spent 10 seasons as a high school football coach, compiling an impressive record of success. His teams captured one state championship, finished as state runner-up once, advanced to the state semifinals twice, and reached the state quarterfinals twice. Known for building disciplined, physical, and fundamentally sound football teams, Middleton consistently developed championship cultures while mentoring student-athletes who excelled on and off the field. His success at the high school level laid the foundation for a collegiate coaching return built on leadership, player development, and offensive innovation.

Middleton served as Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks Coach and Assistant Head Coach at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (2011-13). His 2013 offense ranked 6th nationally in red zone scoring, 17th in passing efficiency, 14th in fewest fumbles lost, and 21st in sacks allowed, while leading the Great American Conference in red zone scoring, passing efficiency, and ball security.

Middleton previously served as Offensive Coordinator and Wide Receivers Coach at the University of Central Arkansas (2009-10), where the Bears consistently fielded one of the Southland Conference's top offenses. In 2010, UCA led the conference in passing efficiency, third-down conversions, fourth-down conversions, and red zone scoring, while ranking among the conference leaders in total offense, scoring, passing offense, and first downs.

During his first stint as Offensive Coordinator at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (2007-08), Middleton directed one of the greatest offenses in school history. The 2008 offense shattered 22 school records, ranked 3rd nationally in total offense, 2nd in first downs, 3rd in time of possession, and 6th nationally in rushing offense. The Boll Weevils became the only football team in school history to earn a Top 20 national ranking, while Middleton coached Scott Buisson to Gulf South Conference Player of the Year honors and recognition as a Harlon Hill Trophy finalist.

Middleton began his collegiate coaching career at Louisiana Tech University as an undergraduate assistant before serving as a graduate assistant wide receivers coach from 2000-01. During his tenure, Louisiana Tech won the 2001 Western Athletic Conference Championship and earned a berth in the Humanitarian Bowl. The Bulldogs finished among the nation's elite passing offenses, ranking 7th nationally in passing offense in 2001 after finishing 8th nationally the previous season.

Over the course of his coaching career, Middleton has developed championship-winning offenses and mentored numerous all-conference performers, conference Players of the Year, All-Americans, and high-caliber athletes. His offensive philosophy is rooted in physicality, efficiency, discipline, and situational excellence, while his leadership philosophy emphasizes Honoring God, servant leadership, accountability, player development, and building young men of character.

As Head Football Coach at Kansas Wesleyan, Middleton is committed to building a nationally respected football program that competes for championships while preparing student athletes for success in the classroom, on the field, and in life. Middleton is married to Kayla Temple and they have four sons. Luke, Caden, Kash and Kross.