After spending one season as a graduate assistant in 2013 with the Hawai‘i coaching staff, Luke Matthews was promoted to a full-time assistant coach for the 2014 season. Matthews returns in 2015 for his second season as an assistant coach guiding the University of Hawai‘i wide receivers, and his third season with the program.
Matthews guided the development of returning starters Marcus Kemp and Quinton Pedroza during his first year as an assistant coach, with the duo accounting for over half of the team’s receiving yards in 2014. The receiving corps remained consistent for big play potential, putting up 24 plays of 25 yards or more, five resulting in a UH touchdown.
A four-year starter at the University of Utah, Matthews made an immediate impact as the defacto receivers coach in 2013 and helped the unit show statistical improvement in several categories, compared to 2012 during head coach Norm Chow’s first year at UH.
The 2013 group caught 31 touchdown passes in 2013, compared to 12 the previous year. In addition, the receivers made 43 receptions of 25 or more yards, improving from 15 in 2012. Matthews helped tutor receiver Chris Gant, who earned an invitation to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and finished the year with team-highs of 59 receptions for 973 yards and nine touchdowns.
During his playing days, the Phoenix, Ariz., native made 30 starts at wide receiver during his four-year career with the Utes. He played in 50-of-51 games and finished with 63 career receptions for 864 yards and five touchdowns. He was a four-time academic all-conference recipient.
Matthews joined the Utes in 2008. He was part of four bowl teams and was a redshirt during Utah’s 2009 Sugar Bowl win over Alabama. Matthews was a two-sport star at Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, Ariz., graduating in 2008.
Matthews’ father John was a two-time U.S. Olympic Greco-Roman wrestler, while his two sisters competed at the Division I level. He earned his bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Utah in May 2012.
Matthews recently married the former Lisa Charisse Blanco, who resides in Phoenix and is a member of the Arizona Cardinals organization.
The Matthews File
Personal
Years at UH: 3rd season
Hometown: Phoenix, Ariz.
Alma Mater: Utah (2012)
Playing Experience
2008-12, Utah
Coaching Experience
2013-: Hawai‘i:
*2014-: Assistant (Wide Receivers)
*2013: Graduate Assistant (Wide Receivers)
