Matthew Middleton ‘very proud’ to represent home state as new WR coach for Wildcats
Whenever Matthew Middleton used to wonder about where his unpredictable career as an assistant college football coach might take him next he always got excited about the idea of working close to home.
He is from Kansas City, he attended Bonner Springs High School, he played football at Ottawa and he briefly served as a graduate assistant with KU. But he spent all of his time as a full-fledged coach in other parts of the country, working at places like South Dakota, Kent State and South Florida.
Wouldn’t it be great, he always thought, to get back closer to his roots?
That made it an easy decision for Middleton to join the Kansas State football team as a wide receivers coach this spring.
“Without truly putting it on my bucket list, I did think it would be nice to represent the state of Kansas,” Middleton said. “However I could do that, I wanted to do that. Everywhere I go people will ask, ‘You’re from Kansas?’ I say, ‘Yeah, I’m from Kansas and I’m proud.’ To be able to do that and to be able to represent K-State football, which is blue collar and hard-working, I feel very proud to do.”
Middleton has never spent much time in Manhattan, but he already calls the place home.
His father lives less than two hours away and works Nebraska Furniture Mart. He can easily visit with family whenever he has down time. And he received an outpouring of love when he took the job.
Much like an in-state football recruit takes pride in “staying home” and playing for the Wildcats, Middleton is fired up about this opportunity after 15 years in the coaching profession.
“It’s really good to be home,” Middleton said. “A lot of people are reaching out. I’m talking friends, family and acquaintances. It’s awesome to have that support and to be here around family, which is awesome.”
K-State coach Chris Klieman liked Middleton as a candidate to replace former receivers coach Thad Ward for several reasons.
Klieman coached against him when he was at North Dakota State. Middleton also spent time with offensive line coach Conor Riley when they both worked at Omaha in 2009. Middleton showed the ability to develop players at Kent State. And he has obvious recruiting connections in the Kansas City area.
The Wildcats signed Middleton to a two-year deal that will pay him $325,000 in his first season and $375,000 in his second, according to a copy of his contract.
“A number of coaches that we visited with spoke really highly of Matthew and his ability to teach, his ability to build relationships and his ability to recruit,” Klieman said. “We interviewed a handful of guys and we just thought it was the right fit. Watching him out there in practice, he’s got great energy. He does a really good job of connecting with with the players and so I’m excited we were able to add Matthew.”
Klieman and offensive coordinator Collin Klein also asked for input from K-State receivers after they met with the coaches who interviewed for the open position.
It certainly didn’t hurt Middleton’s chances that they gave him their approval.
“There is a reason why there is success here,” Middleton said. “Empowering players, promoting leadership and them knowing what they want and what they’re looking for is what allows them to play as hard and as tough as they do for each other.”
Middleton will have some important work to do in his first season with the Wildcats. After losing Malik Knowles and Kade Warner, K-State has much to replace at receiver.
So far, Middleton likes what he has seen from up-and-coming players such as R.J. Garcia, Sterling Lockett and Seth Porter. Iowa transfer Keagan Johnson has also looked good in spring practice, while Phillip Brooks is back as a “super senior.”
Preparing them for the upcoming season is exciting for him. So is coaching in his home state.
