Matt Powledge Named to DCTF 40 Under 40

WACO, Texas -- Baylor football defensive coordinator Matt Powledge was named a member of the Dave Campbell's Texas Football 40 Under 40, which honors 40 coaches in the state of Texas that are under 40 years old, it was announced by the publication.

Powledge, is in his second stint on the Baylor coaching staff and his third as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach. He previously spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons as the safeties coach and special teams coordinator on Coach Dave Aranda's staff, and was the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Oregon in 2022.

Powledge helped spur the Bears to a strong season in 2024, helping Baylor win eight games and advance to the Texas Bowl. His defensive unit sparked a six-game winning streak to conclude the regular season, the longest such streak in program history.

The defensive improved drastically in Powledge's second season as its coordinator, moving up 40 spots in the defensive FEI ratings, and in the national NCAA stats, BU moved up 23 spots in total defense, 31 spots in sacks, 42 spots in pass efficiency defense, 34 spots in scoring defense, 43 spots in rushing defense and 73 spots in third-down conversion percentage defense. His secondary helped BU rank No. 27 nationally in interceptions, an 82-spot improvement from his first year back in Waco.

The 2024 defensive unit was led by a dynamic pair of inside linebackers, including first-team All-Conference stalwarts, Matt Jones and Keaton Thomas. The duo each charted over 110 tackles, becoming the first pair with 100 tackles in a season at the linebacker post since 2010.

In his first year as the primary defensive play caller in 2023, while also working with the safeties, Powledge helped mentor freshman All-America cornerback Caden Jenkins. His tutelage saw Carl Williams IV shine after shifting to STAR from his preseason camp position of cornerback midway through the year.

A native of Huntsville, Texas, Powledge is coming off a 10-win season with the Ducks, leading Oregon to a 7-2 mark in the Pac-12, three top-15 wins and the Holiday Bowl Title. The Ducks, ranked No. 15 in the College Football Playoff top-25, ranked eighth in the nation in interceptions, 24th in red-zone defense and 33rd in rushing defense.

His 2021 season with the Bears saw Baylor win the Big 12 Championship and Sugar Bowl Trophy, while ranking in the top-15 in both scoring defense and interceptions. He mentored Jalen Pitre into Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Powledge previously spent time on the coaching staff at Louisiana-Lafayette (2018-19), ULM (2016-17) and Sam Houston (2014-15). He opened his coaching career at Kentucky (2013), Northwestern State (2012) and Southeastern Louisiana (2010-11) after playing fullback for his hometown Sam Houston (2005-09).

Baylor opens its 2025 season on Aug. 29 at McLane Stadium, playing host to Auburn at 7 p.m. on FOX and the Baylor Sports Media Network. Single-game tickets go on sale July 23.

- BaylorBears.com -

Matt Powledge Named to DCTF 40 Under 40

Players Mentioned

Caden Jenkins

Matt Jones

Keaton Thomas

Carl Williams IV

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