Coach Matthew Amburgey will be entering his 4th season with the Kentucky Wesleyan Panther football program as the Running Backs Coach, and his 2nd as Special Teams Coordinator. Coach Amburgey brings a wealth of knowledge to the Panther football program and a contagious positive attitude to the recruiting trail as well. His methods are both instructional and inspirational. One of Coach Amburgey’s strengths is that of a self-starter who is always striving for improvement both for himself, and his players. During his time at KWC he developed and implemented a community outreach program for members of the football team where teammates volunteered in the community providing service at organizations like the local soup kitchen. Coach Amburgey has a PLAYERS FIRST philosophy and works hard to establish positive relationships with his players and help each one of them reach their potential both academically and on the football field.
Coach Amburgey arrived at Kentucky Wesleyan College in the summer of 2019 from Kentucky State University, where he was the Running Backs Coach, Assistant Offensive Line Coach, and held multiple other assistant titles as well as additional responsibilities critical to the program. Additionally, Coach Amburgey served as Linebackers Coach at Shelby County High School in 2012 and was also the Defensive Coordinator for Woodford County High School in 2016.
Duties while at Kentucky State included teaching fundamentals and techniques for the running back position along with conducting day to day drills to develop and improve skills. Coach Amburgey assisted the Offensive Coordinator with weekly game planning along with designing run game strategies. He conducted film breakdown of opponents and held position group meetings for running backs. During games he signaled offensive plays during the game to the quarterback and helped extensively with recruiting in Central and Southeastern Kentucky. While at KSU he developed, implemented, and was responsible for the oversight of “BREDS and BOOKS”. This was a program initiated so the players could be role models in the local school system. Members of the team regularly visited local elementary schools to encourage students to read. Amburgey developed a comprehensive recruiting plan including a handbook for the Kentucky State University Coaching Staff. This included outlines of job descriptions and responsibilities, a comprehensive plan for covering recruiting areas, and strategies for both individual coaches and staff as a whole. The handbook also addressed Best Practices and Compliance Guidelines.
While at Shelby County High School, his Alma Mater, coach Amburgey conducted day to day drills designed to develop and improve skills for the linebacker position. He assisted the Defensive Coordinator with weekly game planning and strategy. Coach Amburgey also conducted firm breakdown of opponents. Lastly, he helped lead the Rockets to a District Championship during the 2012 Campaign as well.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS and ACCOLADES:
6 ALL CONFERENCE PLAYERS COACHED
- 3 - 1st Team
- 1 - 2nd Team
- 2 - 3rd Team
1 PLAYER INVITED TO ROOKIE MINI-CAMP
1 DII ALL REGION
1 DII ALL AMERICAN
The first in his family to graduate from college, Coach Amburgey holds a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Physical Education and minoring in Athletic coaching, from Kentucky State University. He also holds a Master’s degree in Intercollegiate Athletic Administration from Western Kentucky University.
Originally from Frankfort, Kentucky, Coach Amburgey resides in Owensboro, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife Alexandra (Alex), and his two sons, Jaidan (JJ) age 15, and Kingston (Boogie) age 8 months.
