Hired as Furman’s offensive line coach on Jan. 22, 2022, Matt McCutchan in his first season with the Paladins proved to be a stellar addition, playing a integral role in Furman’s 10-3 campaign that netted a second round playoff appearance and consensus FCS Top 10 final rankings. Included in the campaign, Furman’s winningest since 2005, was a run of seven consecutive victories and five straight road triumphs — the most by the program in over 30 years.
His Paladin offensive front proved to be best in the Southern Conference in 2022, evidenced by the selection of three first team all-league performers — tackles Anderson Tomlin and Pearson Toomey, and guard Jacob Johanning. Tomlin went on collect a pair of All-America honors, and Johanning was accorded second team AFCA All-America accolades.
The work of Furman’s offensive line last fall paved the way for one of the most balanced attacks in the FCS that produced 33.1 points and 421.9 yards per game, fronted by a Paladin ground attack featuring the work of All-SoCon running back Dominic Roberto (1,120 yds., 11 TDs).
McCutchan joined the Paladins following four seasons at East Tennessee State, where he coached the Buccaneers’ offensive front, including a 2021 unit that helped the Bucs win the SoCon and advance three rounds into the FCS Playoffs. The leaders, All-America performers Tre’mond Shorts and Tavon Matthews, combined to help clear the way for the school’s all-time leading rusher, All-American Quay Holmes, who ran for a school record 1,553 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2021 to finish his career with 4,264 yards and 51 touchdowns.
Shorts, who collected the SoCon’s Jacobs Blocking Award for the 2021 spring season, joined ETSU’s 2018 recipient and McCutchan understudy Matt Pyke to form a contingent of eight All-SoCon performers and 12 All-Americans coached by McCutchan in his four seasons in Johnson City.
Prior to his tenure at ETSU, McCutchan worked five seasons (2013-17) at Florida State as the offensive quality control coach, and was on staff when the Seminoles won the 2014 national championship.
He spent the 2012 season as the offensive line coach at Morehead State following a one-year stint (2011) as offensive line coach at Lincoln University (Mo.).
McCutchan began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Kentucky, his alma mater, from 2008-10.
He played offensive line for the Wildcats from 2004-06, starting 31 games and earning the team’s Most Outstanding Lineman Award in 2005. He twice earned Southeastern Conference Lineman of the Week laurels during his career.
McCutchan was a member of Kentucky’s 2006 squad that won eight games, capped by a Music City Bowl victory over Clemson. He was a multiple SEC Academic Honor Roll selection and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics.
