AT HARDING
Matt Underwood joined the Harding coaching staff in 2014 and served as the assistant head coach, recruiting director, and slot backs coach through the historic 2025 season.
Coaching Highlights:
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Served as Harding’s assistant head coach and slot backs coach on the 2023 NCAA Division II National Championship team and the 2025 National Runner-Up team.
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Harding compiled a staggering 121-23 record during Underwood's 12 seasons on staff (2014-2025) and made nine NCAA Division II Playoff appearances. During his tenure, the Bisons reached the national semifinals in 2017 and the national championship game in both 2023 and 2025. He coached in 23 postseason games for Harding.
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Coached double-digit All-GAC slot backs and wide receivers, including dynamic playmaker and multi-year 1,000-yard rusher Braden Jay.
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Harding ranked in the top four in Division II in rushing every single season of his tenure and led the nation in rushing seven times. In his final season in 2025, his slot backs helped the offense shatter its own college football all-division record by rushing for 6,943 yards and 88 rushing touchdowns.
BEFORE HARDING
Underwood came back to Harding after spending four seasons as the head coach at Jackson (Tennessee) Christian School. He led the team to two Tennessee Division II state playoff berths. Underwood coached Drae Bowles, a U.S. Army All-American who was a four-star recruit that signed with the University of Tennessee, and Noah Chandler, who played baseball at Harding and had 3,751 total yards and 38 touchdowns in his senior season as a quarterback under Underwood.
Before his time at Jackson Christian, Underwood was the offensive coordinator at Memphis (Tennessee) Harding Academy from 2004-09. Harding Academy reached the state championship in 2008 and the state semifinals in 2004 and 2006.
PLAYING CAREER
Underwood played quarterback and special teams for the Harding football team from 1998-2002. He was a team captain on the 2002 team that finished 9-2.
EDUCATION
Underwood is a native of Searcy, Arkansas. He graduated from Harding Academy in 1998 and earned his B.A. in social science from Harding University in 2003.
FAMILY
Underwood is married to the former Liz Lee of Memphis, Tennessee. The couple has three children: Ellie, Thomas, and Jess.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2017-2025: Harding, assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator, slot backs coach
2014-2016: Harding, co-offensive coordinator
2010-2013: Jackson (Tennessee) Christian, head coach
2004-2009: Harding Academy (Tennessee), offensive coordinator
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
1998-2002: Harding, quarterback
1994-1997: Harding Academy (Arkansas), quarterback
