Matt Storm Tabbed as Lumberjacks’ Offensive Coordinator
12/19/2018 9:26:00 AM | Football
2017 FootballScoop NCAA Division II Coordinator of the Year Storm arrives at SFA after spending the previous six seasons as Texas A&M-Commerce’s offensive coordinator
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – SFA head football coach Colby Carthel has named Matt Storm as the Lumberjacks' offensive coordinator. Storm, who was named 2017 FootballScoop NCAA Division II Coordinator of the Year, spent the previous six seasons in the same role at Texas A&M-Commerce with coach Carthel.
Taking the Lions' offense to the status of the premier unit in all of Division II football, Storm was promoted to assistant head coach following A&M-Commerce's 2017 national title.
"Coach Storm is one of the most innovative offensive minds in the game of football," commented coach Carthel. "I'm really excited to have him join our staff here at SFA. He's always done a great job over the years of molding the offense around the talent of the players and is able to attack defenses on the ground or through the air."
"He helped build our last program from the ground up into a national champion," continued coach Carthel. "After inheriting a dismal offense that scored only 12 points per game, Storm guided that unit to an all-time record of nearly 55 points per game just two short years later."
Storm's offense during the 2018 season was once again one of the best in Division II despite losing All-American quarterback Luis Perez. The Lions' red zone offense ranked 30th nationally (84.5 percent), while A&M-Commerce was 39th in total first downs (242) and 41st in scoring offense (32.7 PPG). Along with tight end Vincent Hobbs being named D2CCA All-Super Region Four First Team, offensive lineman Amon Simon earned second-team all-region honors as two offensive players claimed All-Lone Star Conference First Team plaudits, another pair second team honors and four honorable mention.
During the Lions' 2017 national championship run, Storm's offense was one of the most potent in the entire nation as A&M-Commerce owned a scoring margin of 20.4 points per game. Starting quarterback Perez led the nation in passing yards and touchdown passes, earning the Harlon Hill Trophy as the best player in all of Division II. The Lions had the second-best passing offense in the country, averaging 349.0 yards per game, while also finishing among the top 30 teams in the country in several other offensive categories. A&M-Commerce ranked third in completion percentage (68.8 percent), second in first downs gained, 26th in red zone offense (87 percent), 26th in scoring offense (37.1 PPG), 16th in passing efficiency (157.34) and 28th in total offense (303.4 YPG).
That season, the Lions led the Lone Star Conference in completion percentage, first downs, passing offense and winning percentage. In addition to the Harlon Hill Trophy, Perez was named the D2CCA Ron Lenz Offensive Player of the Year, the D2Football.com National Offensive Player of the Year, the Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Year and was an All-American First Team selection. Jared Machorro was also named a First Team All-American as well as Lone Star Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year with a total of four offensive players being named All-Lone Star Conference First Team. Additionally, five of Storm's pupils earned All-Lone Star Conference Second Team accolades and three picked up All-Lone Star Conference honorable mention. Not only was Storm's offense successful in Division II, his unit set numerous marks in the state of Texas. Of all 27 scholarship football programs within the state, the Lions led Texas in touchdown passes (47) and were second in both touchdowns scored (69) and passing yards per game.
During the 2016 season under Storm, A&M-Commerce led the Lone Star Conference and was second in the nation in turnover margin, ending the year with a +24 advantage. The team also led the conference and were among the top 20 nationally in scoring offense (39.8 PPG), passing (299.8 YPG), fewest turnovers lost and fewest interceptions. Leading the league in tackles for loss allowed, the Lions ranked in the top 20 in the nation in both passing efficiency (13th) and fourth-down conversion percentage (17th). Five offensive players were named to the All-Lone Star Conference First Team, while five were tabbed second-team selections and another five honorable mention.
In 2015, Storm's offense once again finished among the nation's top 25 in multiple categories, including 25th in total offense (464.5 YPG), 17th in passing efficiency (152.62) and 20th in scoring offense (38.3 PPG) as Richard Cooper was named Lone Star Conference Offensive Back of the Year.
Under Storm's guidance in 2014, A&M-Commerce sported the top scoring offense in all of NCAA football, averaging an eye-popping 54.1 points per game. The Lions scored 90-plus points twice during the year including a Lone Star Conference-record 98 points against East Texas Baptist. Storm's 2014 unit opened the season with an Division II record-setting 986 yards of total offense against East Texas Baptist as quarterback Tyrik Rollison broke the school record with 562 passing yards and tied the record for touchdown passes. A&M-Commerce had three players rush for over 100 yards and three players record over 100 yards receiving in the contest.
The Lions were one of two teams with multiple wide receivers averaging over 100 reception yards per game - Ricky Collins (107.9) and Vernon Johnson (104.8) – following the 2014 season. Rollison averaged 342.2 yards per game through the air to finish third in the NCAA and was third nationally in yards per completion (16.5). Johnson went on to claim the Lone Star Conference's Wide Receiver of the Year Award and was an All-American selection along with Collins, while 12 other offensive players earned All-Lone Star Conference nods. All told, the 2014 Lion offense re-wrote the record book by accounting for 27 different NCAA, Lone Star Conference and school records.
In his first year in Commerce, Storm turned around an offense that averaged 267 yards and only 12.6 points per game in 2012 prior to his arrival into a force that averaged 375.1 yards and 35 points per game. That season, Johnson set the program record for both touchdown catches (13) and receptions (70).
Storm arrived in Commerce following a one year stint at West Texas A&M, helping lead the Buffs to the Division II national semifinals with a 12-3 record. During his time in Canyon, Storm worked with the offensive line as West Texas A&M led the Lone Star Conference in total offense (474.9 YPG) while ranking second in scoring (38.6 PPG) and fourth in rushing (142.9 YPG).
Prior to West Texas A&M, Storm spent six seasons as the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at his alma mater, East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. One of his most productive seasons came in 2011 as every starter on the defensive line for the Tigers was named All-Great American Conference, including Jason Catching, who led the league in sacks and was named Great American Conference Defensive Player of the Year. The year prior, Storm played an integral role in helping East Central University capture the 2010 Lone Star Conference North Division championship.
Storm had a standout playing career for the Tigers on the offensive line as a two-year starter, earning all-conference honors both seasons and being named the team's lineman of the year. As a senior in 2005, he was picked as team captain. Before playing at East Central University, Storm was a two-year starter at Mt. San Antonio Junior College (Calif.) where he earned All-California accolades and was captain of the top-ranked junior college team in the state.
Storm received his bachelor's degree in kinesiology in 2006 and his master's in sports administration from East Central University. He is the father of Tate and Riley Storm.
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