Central Michigan University Athletics
Football
Matt Drinkall
- Title:
- Head Coach
- E-Mail Address:
- FBRecruiting@cmich.edu
- Phone:
- @DrinkallCoach (X)
- Year at CMU:
- 2nd year at CMU
- Hometown:
- Bettendorf, Iowa
- Alma Mater/Year:
- Western Illinois/2005
- Experience:
- 22nd year
Central Michigan University named Matt Drinkall its 30th football coach on Dec. 9, 2024, ushering in a new era of excitement.
In his first season at Central Michigan in 2025, the 22-year coaching veteran led the Chippewas to their first bowl appearance in four years with a 7-6 overall record, a 7-3 mark against non-Power 4 opponents, and a 5-3 MAC record. The Chippewas’ seven wins were their most since 2021. Utilizing a physical ball-control offense and an experienced play-making defense, Central Michigan achieved top 30 national rankings in completion percentage (No. 8), passing efficiency (No. 14), time of possession (No. 21), fewest interceptions thrown (No. 23), red zone defense (No. 10), defensive touchdowns (No. 10), and turnovers gained (No. 26). In each win, CMU limited opponents to 20 points or less, forced at least one turnover in all 13 games, and ended the regular season with a plus-8 turnover margin (20-12), ranking among the nation's leaders.
Drinkall made history as the fifth coach in school history to lead the Chippewas to bowl eligibility in his first year, joining Dick Flynn (1994), Butch Jones (2007), John Bonamego (2015), and Jim McElwain (2019) as the other coaches to earn that distinction.
Drinkall’s debut was memorable as he led CMU to a thrilling come-from-behind 16-14 road win at San Jose State—marking the first time since 1951 that a CMU coach won a debut away game. He also became the first coach since Herb Deromedi in 1978 to win both his debut home and road games at CMU.
In his first year at Central Michigan, Drinkall has driven a culture shift with numerous enhancements to the student-athlete experience. Off-the-field, the program posted its best academic semester in spring 2025 with a 3.2 grade-point average. The Chippewas now receive consistent, high-quality meals from CMU Dining Services, have converted spaces into dedicated player areas, such as the VIP Lounge, now a player lounge, and have revamped the practice schedule. They also enjoyed a preseason team-building excursion to Cedar Point amusement park in the summer of 2025. These achievements highlight a handful of the positive changes that Drinkall has implemented since his arrival.
Before coming to Central Michigan, Drinkall spent six years on Jeff Monken’s staff at Army West Point (2019-24) as an assistant coach, offensive line coach, and co-offensive coordinator. In 2024, he helped lead Army West Point to a 12-2 record, a No. 22 national ranking in the College Football Playoff poll, and an American Athletic Conference championship in Army’s first year in the league as the Black Knights defeated Tulane, 35-14, in the conference title game, then closed the historic season with a win over Louisiana Tech in the Independence Bowl. The 12 wins set a program record.
Army led the nation in rushing (314.4 yards per game), averaged 32.92 points per game, ranked fourth nationally in third-down conversion percentage (50.3), gained 397.6 total yards per game, and led the nation in possession time (35:42). Drinkall's offensive line won the 2024 Joe Moore Award, honoring college football’s top offensive line. Drinkall was named the 2024 FootballScoop Offensive Line Coach of the Year.
Drinkall’s Midwestern roots, coaching success, experience, and commitment to both athletics and academics made him a perfect fit for Central Michigan, said Associate Vice President/Zyzlewski Family Director of Athletics Amy Folan.
“Matt has been successful everywhere he’s been,” she said. “He is very innovative, he’s been a student of the game, and has a passion for college football. He’s coming from an institution in Army West Point that puts a premium on leadership. He has had success as a head coach and has a reputation as a player’s coach. With Matt’s background and abilities, he is the perfect fit to lead us into the next chapter of Central Michigan Football.”
"Matt Drinkall brings an impressive record of leadership, innovation, and success to Central Michigan University,” CMU President Dr. Neil MacKinnon said. “His commitment to excellence both on and off the field aligns with our values and our vision for the future of CMU Football. We are excited to welcome Matt and his family to Mount Pleasant, and we look forward to seeing how his passion and experience will inspire our student-athletes and energize the CMU Chippewa community.”
During his six seasons at Army West Point, Drinkall helped lead the Black Knights to an 81-56 record and to three bowl game appearances. He served as the offensive line coach (2023-24), co-offensive coordinator (2023), tight ends coach (2020-22), and quality control coach (2019).
He helped Army transition from a flexbone offense to a comprehensive power rushing attack in 2023. Drinkall played a role in the development and success of the offensive line that ranked No. 7 in the nation and averaged 208 yards rushing per game.
In 2022, Drinkall’s tight ends powered a ground-dominant offense, helping Army finish second nationally with 38 rushing touchdowns and four 450-yard rushing games.
In 2021, Drinkall’s group powered a top five rushing offense, including a best-in-the-nation 46 rushing touchdowns. His position group anchored an offense that led Army to a 9-3 record and its third Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy in four seasons. Drinkall joined the Black Knight coaching staff in 2019 as offensive quality control coach, working with quarterbacks.
“My wife Kim and I are deeply humbled and honored to join the Central Michigan University family,” Drinkall said during his introductory news conference. “We are so excited to get back to our Midwest roots and to be a part of this passionate community. We cannot wait to build meaningful relationships and help contribute to the success of this storied program. We are also honored to follow in the footsteps of the McElwains, who have meant so much to college football. Fire Up Chips!”
Before joining Army West Point, Drinkall put together a successful five-year stint as the head coach at Kansas Wesleyan University from 2014-19, while also serving as the program’s Offensive Coordinator. Over the final four seasons of his tenure, Kansas Wesleyan put together the best four-year run in school history as he guided the Coyotes to a combined 42-17 record.
His team produced two Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player award winners, two Offensive Player of the Year honorees, and a Defensive Player of the Year winner. That four-season stretch produced 11 All-Americans and 64 all-conference selections.
In Drinkall’s final season (2018) at Kansas Wesleyan, the Coyotes posted the best season in program and conference history, a 13-1 record including a 10-0 league ledger and the school’s first conference title since 2002. The Coyotes advanced to the semifinals of the national playoffs, shattering several school, Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, and NAIA records during their historic season.
Deploying a no-huddle, power-spread offense, Drinkall’s team set conference and school records for points per game (54.3) and total yards per game (530.8). In 2018, the offense featured a quarterback with 3,739 yards and 47 touchdowns, and a running back with 2,788 yards and 41 total touchdowns.
Averaging more than seven-plus yards per play, the dynamic 2018 Coyote offense shattered over 20 conference and school records, including total points, total yards, points in a game (83), points in a half (69), and points in a quarter (49). Under Drinkall’s leadership, the team boasted the nation’s leading rusher and scorer.
In 2018, the Coyotes swept the major conference awards under Drinkall, with running back Demarco Prewitt earning the Most Valuable Player Award, quarterback Johnny Feauto picking up the Offensive Player of the Year Award, and defensive lineman Shaq Bradford taking the Defensive Player of the Year Award. Drinkall and that trio led the Coyotes to a final national rank of No. 4, a program best.
From 2015-17, Drinkall’s Coyotes netted 27 wins, including a 23-5 record in conference play. During that stretch, KWU reached the No. 10 spot in the Top 25 poll, matching the highest ranking in program history. In 2015, Drinkall led the Coyotes to a 10-win season and their first NAIA playoff berth in 13 seasons. Kansas Wesleyan ranked fifth nationally in total offense and seventh in the nation in scoring. Quarterback Jack Curran, the KCAC Player of the Year, ranked third in NAIA in total offense and fourth in the nation in total offense.
In 2014, Drinkall accepted the head coaching position at Kansas Wesleyan and was tasked with rebuilding the program from top to bottom, including roster, facilities, and branding. Drinkall, who was the second-youngest head coach in college football at the time of his hiring, posted a 2-9 regular season record in his first season, but then quickly rebounded to go 10-1 in 2015.
Drinkall served as offensive coordinator at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, from 2008-14. While at St. Ambrose under head coach Todd Sturdy, Drinkall directed the Fighting Bees’ offense that ranked fourth in the nation in scoring offense (44.2 points per game), total offense (505.9 yards per game), and passing offense (326.3 yards per game) in 2013.
Under Drinkall’s direction, St. Ambrose quarterback Eric Williamson was twice named the conference player of the year, setting several program records in the process. Drinkall was named the conference assistant coach of the year in 2012 in a conference that had produced national champions in the three prior seasons.
Before St. Ambrose, Drinkall spent two seasons at Western Illinois as the tight ends coach under head coach Don Patterson. In his time with the Leathernecks, Drinkall developed the program into one of the top rushing offenses in the country.
Drinkall began his coaching career at his alma mater, Bettendorf (Iowa) High School, where he coached defensive backs and wide receivers. Among his protégés at Bettendorf was linebacker Pat Angerer, who went on to play for the Indianapolis Colts. In 2004, Drinkall helped Bettendorf finish 13-0 and claim a state championship.
Drinkall played wide receiver at Iowa and then began his coaching career as a student coach with the Hawkeyes following a career-ending injury. In 2002, Iowa went undefeated in Big Ten play, went 11-2, appeared in the Orange Bowl, and finished the year ranked eighth nationally.
Drinkall, his wife, Kim, and daughter, Madison, live in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
THE MATT DRINKALL FILE
Birthdate: November 8, 1982
Hometown: Bettendorf, Iowa
Family: Wife Kim; daughter Madison
Education
Bachelor’s degree, Kinesiology, Western Illinois University, 2005
Master’s degree, Recreation Administration, Western Illinois University, 2007
Coaching Career
Head Coach, Central Michigan University, December 2024-current
Offensive Line Coach, Army West Point, 2024
Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach, Army West Point, 2023
Tight Ends Coach, Army West Point, 2020-23
Quality Control Coach, Army West Point, 2019
Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator, Kansas Wesleyan, 2014-19
Offensive Coordinator, St. Ambrose University (Iowa), 2012-14
Offensive Line Coach, St. Ambrose University (Iowa), 2010-12
Wide Receivers Coach, St. Ambrose University (Iowa), 2008-09
Tight Ends Coach, Western Illinois, 2006-08
Wide Receivers/Defensive Backs Coach, Bettendorf High School (Iowa), 2003-05
Coaching Accomplishments
2024 American Athletic Conference champions (Army) … 2024 Joe Moore Award, college football’s offensive line of the year … 2024 FootballScoop Offensive Line Coach of the Year … 2018 AFCA/NCAA Top 35 Coaches Under 35 Honoree … 2018 KCAC champions (Kansas Wesleyan) … 2018 KCAC Coach of the Year (Kansas Wesleyan) … 2012 MSFCA Conference Assistant Coach of the Year (St. Ambrose).
Bowl Games Coached/Achieved
2025 GameAbove Sports Bowl (Central Michigan) … 2024 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl (Army)… 2021 Armed Forces Bowl (Army) … 2020 AutoZone Liberty Bowl (Army) … 2002 Orange Bowl (Iowa).
THE FACTS ON DRINKALL
21 years of college coaching experience at three levels
5 years as a head coach
3 bowl game appearances
2024 AAC champions at Army
42-17 record as a head coach at Kansas Wesleyan
Midwestern born and bred
In his first season at Central Michigan in 2025, the 22-year coaching veteran led the Chippewas to their first bowl appearance in four years with a 7-6 overall record, a 7-3 mark against non-Power 4 opponents, and a 5-3 MAC record. The Chippewas’ seven wins were their most since 2021. Utilizing a physical ball-control offense and an experienced play-making defense, Central Michigan achieved top 30 national rankings in completion percentage (No. 8), passing efficiency (No. 14), time of possession (No. 21), fewest interceptions thrown (No. 23), red zone defense (No. 10), defensive touchdowns (No. 10), and turnovers gained (No. 26). In each win, CMU limited opponents to 20 points or less, forced at least one turnover in all 13 games, and ended the regular season with a plus-8 turnover margin (20-12), ranking among the nation's leaders.
Drinkall made history as the fifth coach in school history to lead the Chippewas to bowl eligibility in his first year, joining Dick Flynn (1994), Butch Jones (2007), John Bonamego (2015), and Jim McElwain (2019) as the other coaches to earn that distinction.
Drinkall’s debut was memorable as he led CMU to a thrilling come-from-behind 16-14 road win at San Jose State—marking the first time since 1951 that a CMU coach won a debut away game. He also became the first coach since Herb Deromedi in 1978 to win both his debut home and road games at CMU.
In his first year at Central Michigan, Drinkall has driven a culture shift with numerous enhancements to the student-athlete experience. Off-the-field, the program posted its best academic semester in spring 2025 with a 3.2 grade-point average. The Chippewas now receive consistent, high-quality meals from CMU Dining Services, have converted spaces into dedicated player areas, such as the VIP Lounge, now a player lounge, and have revamped the practice schedule. They also enjoyed a preseason team-building excursion to Cedar Point amusement park in the summer of 2025. These achievements highlight a handful of the positive changes that Drinkall has implemented since his arrival.
Before coming to Central Michigan, Drinkall spent six years on Jeff Monken’s staff at Army West Point (2019-24) as an assistant coach, offensive line coach, and co-offensive coordinator. In 2024, he helped lead Army West Point to a 12-2 record, a No. 22 national ranking in the College Football Playoff poll, and an American Athletic Conference championship in Army’s first year in the league as the Black Knights defeated Tulane, 35-14, in the conference title game, then closed the historic season with a win over Louisiana Tech in the Independence Bowl. The 12 wins set a program record.
Army led the nation in rushing (314.4 yards per game), averaged 32.92 points per game, ranked fourth nationally in third-down conversion percentage (50.3), gained 397.6 total yards per game, and led the nation in possession time (35:42). Drinkall's offensive line won the 2024 Joe Moore Award, honoring college football’s top offensive line. Drinkall was named the 2024 FootballScoop Offensive Line Coach of the Year.
Drinkall’s Midwestern roots, coaching success, experience, and commitment to both athletics and academics made him a perfect fit for Central Michigan, said Associate Vice President/Zyzlewski Family Director of Athletics Amy Folan.
“Matt has been successful everywhere he’s been,” she said. “He is very innovative, he’s been a student of the game, and has a passion for college football. He’s coming from an institution in Army West Point that puts a premium on leadership. He has had success as a head coach and has a reputation as a player’s coach. With Matt’s background and abilities, he is the perfect fit to lead us into the next chapter of Central Michigan Football.”
"Matt Drinkall brings an impressive record of leadership, innovation, and success to Central Michigan University,” CMU President Dr. Neil MacKinnon said. “His commitment to excellence both on and off the field aligns with our values and our vision for the future of CMU Football. We are excited to welcome Matt and his family to Mount Pleasant, and we look forward to seeing how his passion and experience will inspire our student-athletes and energize the CMU Chippewa community.”
During his six seasons at Army West Point, Drinkall helped lead the Black Knights to an 81-56 record and to three bowl game appearances. He served as the offensive line coach (2023-24), co-offensive coordinator (2023), tight ends coach (2020-22), and quality control coach (2019).
He helped Army transition from a flexbone offense to a comprehensive power rushing attack in 2023. Drinkall played a role in the development and success of the offensive line that ranked No. 7 in the nation and averaged 208 yards rushing per game.
In 2022, Drinkall’s tight ends powered a ground-dominant offense, helping Army finish second nationally with 38 rushing touchdowns and four 450-yard rushing games.
In 2021, Drinkall’s group powered a top five rushing offense, including a best-in-the-nation 46 rushing touchdowns. His position group anchored an offense that led Army to a 9-3 record and its third Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy in four seasons. Drinkall joined the Black Knight coaching staff in 2019 as offensive quality control coach, working with quarterbacks.
“My wife Kim and I are deeply humbled and honored to join the Central Michigan University family,” Drinkall said during his introductory news conference. “We are so excited to get back to our Midwest roots and to be a part of this passionate community. We cannot wait to build meaningful relationships and help contribute to the success of this storied program. We are also honored to follow in the footsteps of the McElwains, who have meant so much to college football. Fire Up Chips!”
Before joining Army West Point, Drinkall put together a successful five-year stint as the head coach at Kansas Wesleyan University from 2014-19, while also serving as the program’s Offensive Coordinator. Over the final four seasons of his tenure, Kansas Wesleyan put together the best four-year run in school history as he guided the Coyotes to a combined 42-17 record.
His team produced two Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player award winners, two Offensive Player of the Year honorees, and a Defensive Player of the Year winner. That four-season stretch produced 11 All-Americans and 64 all-conference selections.
In Drinkall’s final season (2018) at Kansas Wesleyan, the Coyotes posted the best season in program and conference history, a 13-1 record including a 10-0 league ledger and the school’s first conference title since 2002. The Coyotes advanced to the semifinals of the national playoffs, shattering several school, Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, and NAIA records during their historic season.
Deploying a no-huddle, power-spread offense, Drinkall’s team set conference and school records for points per game (54.3) and total yards per game (530.8). In 2018, the offense featured a quarterback with 3,739 yards and 47 touchdowns, and a running back with 2,788 yards and 41 total touchdowns.
Averaging more than seven-plus yards per play, the dynamic 2018 Coyote offense shattered over 20 conference and school records, including total points, total yards, points in a game (83), points in a half (69), and points in a quarter (49). Under Drinkall’s leadership, the team boasted the nation’s leading rusher and scorer.
In 2018, the Coyotes swept the major conference awards under Drinkall, with running back Demarco Prewitt earning the Most Valuable Player Award, quarterback Johnny Feauto picking up the Offensive Player of the Year Award, and defensive lineman Shaq Bradford taking the Defensive Player of the Year Award. Drinkall and that trio led the Coyotes to a final national rank of No. 4, a program best.
From 2015-17, Drinkall’s Coyotes netted 27 wins, including a 23-5 record in conference play. During that stretch, KWU reached the No. 10 spot in the Top 25 poll, matching the highest ranking in program history. In 2015, Drinkall led the Coyotes to a 10-win season and their first NAIA playoff berth in 13 seasons. Kansas Wesleyan ranked fifth nationally in total offense and seventh in the nation in scoring. Quarterback Jack Curran, the KCAC Player of the Year, ranked third in NAIA in total offense and fourth in the nation in total offense.
In 2014, Drinkall accepted the head coaching position at Kansas Wesleyan and was tasked with rebuilding the program from top to bottom, including roster, facilities, and branding. Drinkall, who was the second-youngest head coach in college football at the time of his hiring, posted a 2-9 regular season record in his first season, but then quickly rebounded to go 10-1 in 2015.
Drinkall served as offensive coordinator at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, from 2008-14. While at St. Ambrose under head coach Todd Sturdy, Drinkall directed the Fighting Bees’ offense that ranked fourth in the nation in scoring offense (44.2 points per game), total offense (505.9 yards per game), and passing offense (326.3 yards per game) in 2013.
Under Drinkall’s direction, St. Ambrose quarterback Eric Williamson was twice named the conference player of the year, setting several program records in the process. Drinkall was named the conference assistant coach of the year in 2012 in a conference that had produced national champions in the three prior seasons.
Before St. Ambrose, Drinkall spent two seasons at Western Illinois as the tight ends coach under head coach Don Patterson. In his time with the Leathernecks, Drinkall developed the program into one of the top rushing offenses in the country.
Drinkall began his coaching career at his alma mater, Bettendorf (Iowa) High School, where he coached defensive backs and wide receivers. Among his protégés at Bettendorf was linebacker Pat Angerer, who went on to play for the Indianapolis Colts. In 2004, Drinkall helped Bettendorf finish 13-0 and claim a state championship.
Drinkall played wide receiver at Iowa and then began his coaching career as a student coach with the Hawkeyes following a career-ending injury. In 2002, Iowa went undefeated in Big Ten play, went 11-2, appeared in the Orange Bowl, and finished the year ranked eighth nationally.
Drinkall, his wife, Kim, and daughter, Madison, live in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
THE MATT DRINKALL FILE
Birthdate: November 8, 1982
Hometown: Bettendorf, Iowa
Family: Wife Kim; daughter Madison
Education
Bachelor’s degree, Kinesiology, Western Illinois University, 2005
Master’s degree, Recreation Administration, Western Illinois University, 2007
Coaching Career
Head Coach, Central Michigan University, December 2024-current
Offensive Line Coach, Army West Point, 2024
Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach, Army West Point, 2023
Tight Ends Coach, Army West Point, 2020-23
Quality Control Coach, Army West Point, 2019
Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator, Kansas Wesleyan, 2014-19
Offensive Coordinator, St. Ambrose University (Iowa), 2012-14
Offensive Line Coach, St. Ambrose University (Iowa), 2010-12
Wide Receivers Coach, St. Ambrose University (Iowa), 2008-09
Tight Ends Coach, Western Illinois, 2006-08
Wide Receivers/Defensive Backs Coach, Bettendorf High School (Iowa), 2003-05
Coaching Accomplishments
2024 American Athletic Conference champions (Army) … 2024 Joe Moore Award, college football’s offensive line of the year … 2024 FootballScoop Offensive Line Coach of the Year … 2018 AFCA/NCAA Top 35 Coaches Under 35 Honoree … 2018 KCAC champions (Kansas Wesleyan) … 2018 KCAC Coach of the Year (Kansas Wesleyan) … 2012 MSFCA Conference Assistant Coach of the Year (St. Ambrose).
Bowl Games Coached/Achieved
2025 GameAbove Sports Bowl (Central Michigan) … 2024 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl (Army)… 2021 Armed Forces Bowl (Army) … 2020 AutoZone Liberty Bowl (Army) … 2002 Orange Bowl (Iowa).
THE FACTS ON DRINKALL
21 years of college coaching experience at three levels
5 years as a head coach
3 bowl game appearances
2024 AAC champions at Army
42-17 record as a head coach at Kansas Wesleyan
Midwestern born and bred
Easter Egg Hunt
Tuesday, April 21
Spring Scrimmage Hype Video
Tuesday, April 21
Donte Kent - Chippewas in the NFL Campaign
Tuesday, April 07
Chatting Chippewas - Michael Heldman
Thursday, March 26
