BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Matt Williamson has been named as assistant football coach at Illinois Wesleyan University, Head Coach Norm Eash announced today, June 15. Williamson will serve as IWU's Defensive Coordinator.

"Matt emerged as the top candidate out of an extremely large and talented applicant pool," Eash said. "We look forward to having him join our staff. He knows how to win. He played and excelled at Mount Union, and understands what it takes to win at a high level. He has extensive experience at the college level and is ready to lead our defense in our pursuit of a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Championship. We are excited to get Matt on campus and acquainted with our team."

Williamson, who brings 11 years of collegiate coaching experience, has made stops at Gannon University, Urbana University, Seton Hill University, and the University of Mount Union. 

Overall, he has made seven NCAA Division III National Championship appearances, four as a player and three as a coach, and has been a part of three National Championships. He has coached 13 all-conference selections, three All-Americans, and two College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-Americans.

A native of Columbus, Ohio, he spent the 2020-21 academic year at Gannon, where he served as the Special Team Coordinator and Linebackers Coach. He was also the Strength & Conditioning Coordinator.

Prior to GU, Williamson had a four-year stint at Urbana as the Co-Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Line Coach, and Special Teams Coordinator. During his time with the Blue Knights, he turned Urbana into one of the top defenses in the Mountain East Conference. In 2019, his final season at Urbana, the defense led the MEC in total defense, passing defense, opponent fourth-down conversion, and allowed the fewest touchdowns in the league.

Before his four-year run at Seton Hill, Williamson got his collegiate coaching career started at his alma mater - Mount Union. A Division III powerhouse, Williamson coached the defensive line and special teams and helped guide the Purple Raiders to a 43-2 record during his time on staff. Mount Union won three straight Ohio Athletic Conference Championships and made the NCAA Division III Championship game in each of his three seasons, winning the title in 2012. He coached four All-OAC picks and three All-Americans.

Williamson graduated from Mount Union in 2011 with a degree in sports business. As a player for the Purple Raiders, he was a two-time NCAA Division III National Champion and part of a Mount Union team that compiled a 58-2 record during his playing career. He was a two-time First Team All-Ohio Athletic Conference selection, and was twice named to D3football.com's All-American teams. An honorable mention in 2008, Williamson landed First All-America honors as a senior and was later named to D3football.com's All-Decade Team. 

He is a member of the American Football Coaches Association, as well as the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association.