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Harding University Athletics

Matt Underwood (2) - cropped.jpg

Matt Underwood

  • Title
    Assistant Head Coach/Director of Recruiting/Slotbacks Coach
  • Email
    mdunderwood@harding.edu
  • Phone
    501-279-4764
AT HARDING
Underwood became an assistant coach at Harding in 2014 and serves as assistant head coach, recruiting director and slot backs coach.

Coaching Highlights:
  • Served as Harding’s assistant head coach and slot backs coach on the 2023 NCAA Division II national championship team.
  • Harding has a 106-22 record in Underwood's 11 seasons and has made eight NCAA Division II Playoffs appearances, reaching the NCAA Division II semifinals in 2017 and winning the national championship in 2023 ... has coached in 19 postseason games for Harding.
  • Has coached 10 All-GAC slot backs and wide receivers, including 1,000-yard rusher Braden Jay in 2023 and 2024.
  • Harding has ranked in the top four in Division II in rushing every season since 2014 and has led the nation in rushing six times, including the last five seasons, setting the college football record with 6,160 rushing yards in 2023.
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, 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 have three children--Ellie, Thomas and Jess.

COACHING EXPERIENCE
2017-present   Harding, recruiting/slot backs and wide receivers coach     
2014-16    Harding, co-offensive coordinator
2010-13    Jackson (Tennessee) Christian, head coach
2004-09    Harding Academy (Tennessee), offensive coordinator

PLAYING EXPERIENCE
1998-02    Harding, quarterback
1994-97    Harding Academy (Arkansas), quarterback