Matt Coyne returns for his fourth year at the helm of the Bates football program. He is the 22nd head coach in the program's 128-year history.
In 2024, the Bobcats made history by defeating eventual NESCAC champion Wesleyan in Middletown for the first time since 1981. They also knocked off Middlebury for the first time since 1988. Four Bobcats earned All-NESCAC honors, the most in one season for Bates football since 2012.
In his debut season of 2022, Coyne led the Bobcats to three wins and a pair of players earned All-NESCAC honors. The Bobcats defeated Amherst for the first time since 1999 and Bates' offense tied the program record for passing touchdowns in one season, with 19.
Coyne spent five seasons as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Wesleyan, and coordinated the special teams in 2021 as well. A 2012 Wesleyan graduate, Coyne played and coached for the Cardinals from 2010-2014, then returned to the coaching staff in 2017. He was the team's quarterback for two seasons and was voted captain for his senior campaign. Coyne was also awarded the Thomas W. Eck, Jr. Memorial award in 2011 and 2012 for exemplifying the best in team spirit, sportsmanship, and devotion to the game of football.
Coyne was hired by Bates in February of 2022.
"We are delighted to welcome Matt Coyne to the Bobcat family as Bates’ head football coach," Director of Athletics Jason Fein said. "Matt’s experience as a player and coordinator in the NESCAC, as well as his impressive football acumen, impressed everyone on the hiring committee, from students to coaches to alumni, and his ability to inspire and lead makes him the perfect person to take Bates football into the future."
"I am extremely grateful and honored to be selected as the next head football coach at Bates College," Coyne said. "It is an incredible opportunity to work with this group of exceptional student-athletes while representing one of the leading institutions in the country. I would like to thank President Clayton Spencer, Vice President of Campus Life Joshua McIntosh, Director of Athletics Jason Fein, and the entire search committee for believing in me to lead the Bobcat football program. We are going to build a championship culture that our campus, community, and alumni will be proud to support."
Wesleyan achieved new heights as a program with Coyne on the coaching staff. In 2017, Wesleyan’s defense ranked second in the NESCAC in points (16.1) and third in total yards allowed (305.1) per game. At linebacker, Brandon Morris led the conference in tackles with 95 and added four sacks en route to First Team All-Conference honors. Linebacker Shayne Kaminski was named Second Team All-NESCAC and finished his senior campaign with 62 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, and one defensive touchdown.
After graduating from Wesleyan in 2012, Coyne joined the staff as the wide receivers coach from 2012-2014. He was responsible for coaching and developing First Team All-NESCAC receiver Jay Fabien and Second Team All-NESCAC receiver Josh Hurwitz. During his time at Wesleyan, Coyne was part of one of the most prolific offenses in program history in 2013, as the Cardinals captured their first-ever NESCAC Championship and first outright Little Three title in 43 years. In 2015, Coyne completed his Master’s in Social Sciences from Wesleyan's GLSP program.
Shortly after, Coyne joined the staff at Oberlin College to coach the quarterbacks and handle the pass game coordinator duties. He was responsible for coaching and developing quarterbacks Lucas Poggiali (2015) and Zach Taylor (2016). Poggiali finished second in career passing yards and holds the single-game passing record of 506 yards during the 2015 season. Taylor, a first-year in 2016, moved into sixth place in program history for single-season passing yardage. In 2016, Coyne was promoted to offensive coordinator for the Yeomen.
Coyne, originally from Bristol, Conn., played for Bristol Central High School where he earned All-State and All-Conference in both football and baseball. He was responsible for recruiting New Jersey, California, Ohio, and all national linebacker prospects at Wesleyan.
When the Bates opportunity opened, Coyne jumped at the chance to apply for the position. The interview process sealed the deal for him and Bates.
"I felt at home when I was meeting people for the first time, and I know from speaking with some alums and people affiliated with Bates, that's one of the main reasons they had such a great experience here," Coyne said. "That's something that sticks out to me. When you surround yourself with good people – it's the old saying – good things are going to happen. That's what we're planning to do here."
