BREAKING: Matt Powledge returning to Baylor as Defensive Coordinator
WACO, Texas — Matt Powledge – who spent the 2022 season as the co-defensive coordinator at Oregon following two years as the safeties and special teams coordinator at Baylor – has been named the defensive coordinator for the Bears, as announced Thursday by head coach Dave Aranda.
Powledge rejoins the Baylor coaching staff following a season as the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Oregon in 2022. He spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons on Aranda’s staff in Waco, following two-year stints at Louisiana-Lafayette (2018-19), ULM (2016-17) and Sam Houston (2014-15). He opened his coaching career at Kentucky (2013), Northwestern State (2012) and Southeastern Louisiana (2010-11) after playing fullback for his hometown Sam Houston (2005-09).
“We are thrilled to welcome Matt back to Waco,” Aranda said. “Matt is an elite defensive mind who has a great understanding of our system, on and off the field. His experience both on our staff and elsewhere, paired with his understanding of person over player and his ability to connect with student-athletes, make him an ideal fit to serve as our defensive coordinator.”
Oregon finished No. 3 in total defense in Pac 12 play in the 2022 season and No. 2 in yards per play at 5.77. The Ducks finished tied for first in the league with 19 turnovers forced in nine league games.
Under Powledge’s tutelage, Oregon defensive back Bennett Williams earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors in 2022 for the Ducks while logging time at the safety or STAR position. Williams led the team with 67 tackles, including two interceptions, six pass break-ups and two forced fumbles.
Powledge spent two seasons at Baylor coaching safeties and special teams from 2020-2021 before taking the Co-Defensive Coordinator position at Oregon for the 2022 season.
The safeties and special teams flourished under Powledge during his first stop in Waco. He developed former Bear and current Houston Texan Jalen Pitre into a 2021 Thorpe Award finalist and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year while Trestan Ebner earned back-to-back Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year honors with Powledge running the unit. The Bears won the Big 12 Conference in his second year with the team, earning a bid in the Sugar Bowl.
In 2021, Powledge’s safeties were a key part of one of the nation’s top defenses. The Bears ranked fifth nationally with 17 interceptions and were 14th in the nation in scoring defense (19.2 ppg). Baylor held its 2021 opponents to 13.1 points below their season scoring average. On special teams, the Powledge-led Bears gave the defense the ninth-best starting field position in the nation.
Individually, Pitre led the Big 12 with 17.5 tackles for loss as part of his 70 total tackles on the year. He also added three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions and seven pass breakups. He ranked among the nation's best in fumble recoveries (3, T3rd) and TFL's (17.5, 7th). Ebner ranked fourth in the Big 12 in all-purpose yards per game with 133.8 and tallied 603 total return yards on the season. His 98-yard kick return for a touchdown against Iowa State earned him Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors
In 2020, Powledge's safety group featured Christian Morgan and JT Woods, who finished tied for the team lead with three interceptions. Additionally, Pitre led the team with 60 tackles and 13.0 TFL and returned a pair of interceptions for touchdowns.
On special teams, Ebner was named to four All-America teams as a returner or all-purpose player. Against Kansas, he became the first player in Baylor's modern history to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in the same game. Kicker John Mayers earned All-Big 12 honorable mention honors.
Prior to joining the Louisiana coaching staff, Powledge established a strong coaching record in Texas and Louisiana. The native of Huntsville, Tex. joined the Louisiana staff after spending time at ULM, Sam Houston State Kentucky, Northwestern State and Southeastern Louisiana.