Matt Kirk is in his first season with the Wolf Pack football program and will coach the safeties on first-year head coach Jay Norvell’s coaching staff.
Kirk has over 15 years of coaching experience on the defensive side of the ball, with his most recent stop at Long Beach City College before coming to Nevada. He served as the defensive coordinator for the Vikings in 2016 and led a unit that set the program record with 45 sacks, went 9-2 on the year and were crowned co-conference champions. Additionally his team defeated Bakersfield College in the Western States Bowl.
Prior to his one-year at Long Beach City College, Kirk returned to El Camino College for one season to coach the cornerbacks in the 2015 season. In 2014 Kirk worked at West Los Angeles College where he served as the defensive coordinator. Kirk aided in the transition from a one-win team in 2013 to five wins in 2014.
In the longest tenure during his coaching career, Kirk spent an additional 10 years at El Camino College from 2004-13. He began his time at El Camino coaching the defensive backs for four years, helping El Camino win two Mission Conference Championships in 2005 and 2007 and a state championship in 2006. In 2008 Kirk took over as the defensive coordinator and led El Camino to the Central Conference Championship, advancing in the southern California playoffs by defeating Saddleback College in the American Bowl. In 2009 Kirk’s defense led the entire state of California in total defense, holding opponents to a program record 221 yards per game. Kirk finished with the No. 1 defense in the conference three times during his reign as defensive coordinator and made the playoffs three times as well.
Before joining the staff at El Camino College, Kirk took a year away from football to finish his master’s degree in education administration. Kirk got his start in coaching at East Los Angeles College from 2000-02, coaching the defensive backs in 2000 where East Los Angeles went 7-3 and played El Camino in the CHIPS for Kids Bowl. Kirk served as the defensive coordinator from 2001 to 2002, his final two seasons at East LA.
Kirk taught physical education for 19 years with the Los Angeles Unified School District, and finished his second master’s degree in physical education from Azusa Pacific University in 2016. As a player Kirk was a wide receiver and kick returner for Victor Valley College and earned all-conference honors as a return specialist. After two years Kirk transferred to Chico State where he played slot receiver and was the punt returner for the Wildcat. He graduated with a bachelor of arts in physical education.
Kirk has been married to his wife Shannon for 17 years and the two have one son, Jadon (10).
The File on Matt Kirk
Born: Jan. 15, 1974
Hometown: Pomona, Calif.
Family: Wife – Shannon; Son – Jadon
Education: Bachelor's, Chico State University, 1998; Master’s, Cal State Dominguez Hills, 2005; Master’s, Azusa Pacific University, 2016
Coaching Experience
2017-present: Safeties, Nevada
2016: Def. Coordinator, Long Beach City College
2015: Cornerbacks, El Camino College
2014: Def. Coordinator, West Los Angeles College
2008-13: Def. Coordinator, El Camino College
2004-07: Defensive Backs, El Camino College
2001-02: Def. Coordinator, East Los Angeles College
2000: Defensive Backs, East Los Angeles College
Playing Experience
Victor Valley College: Wide Receiver (1992-93)
Chico State: Wide Receiver (1994-96)
