FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Kennesaw State defensive coordinator and safeties coach
Marc Mattioli was named one of the 63 nominees in this year's class for the 2025 Broyles Award, which honors college football's top assistant coaches. The 63 nominees were selected from approximately 1,500 assistant coaches, representing 132 FBS programs across the country.
Mattioli has been part of helping lead Kennesaw State to one of the biggest turnarounds in college football, turning the Owls from 2-10 last season to 8-3 with a chance at a bid to the Conference USA Championship in their first bowl eligible season. The Owls' strength of record ranks 11
th in Group of Five, according to ESPN.
Under Mattioli's tutelage defensively, Kennesaw State has ranked third in Conference USA in points allowed (23.5), despite facing No. 2-ranked Indiana (56 points) early in the season, while also ranking second in conference-only games, allowing just 22.7 points per game.
The Owls rank second in sacks (26) overall and sacks in conference games (17). KSU also ranks top-35 team tackles for loss (6.5/26
th) and in team sacks (2.36/35
th), and rank 12
th among Group of Five schools in ESPN's stoppage rate (67.6).
Most recently, down three starters in the secondary and two other starters already to season-ending injuries on Saturday, Kennesaw State's defense held Missouri State (then tied for second place in CUSA), to 3-for-10 on third down and 0-for-1 on fourth down, while also blocking a field goal and making two crucial interceptions, including the game-sealing INT with seven seconds left.
Mattioli has been named CUSA Coordinator of the Week by CBS Sports three times in 2025. This season marks his first back in the United States and NCAA football after helming the Paris Musketeers and Parma Panthers to European League of Football Championships.
For the first time in the 30-year history of the Broyles Award, fans across America will have a direct voice in deciding which assistant coaches advance to the semifinalist round, finalist round, and ultimately who wins the award.
The Broyles Award Fan Vote launched today, Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 1 p.m. EST. Fans can cast votes for their favorite nominees throughout each stage of the competition. Each individual fan vote counts toward one collective "fan vote" in the official selection process of each round. Each vote is also an entry to win two VIP passes to the 30th Annual Broyles Award Ceremony.
Fans can vote at
BroylesAward.com/Vote.
Since its founding, the Broyles Award has honored 29 winners and more than 100 finalists, including some of the biggest names in college football coaching history such as Steve Sarkisian, Lane Kiffin, Kirby Smart, Lincoln Riley, Dan Lanning, and Gus Malzahn. The 2024 Broyles Award winner was Al Golden, defensive coordinator at Notre Dame.
The Broyles Award winner will be announced live at the 30th Annual Broyles Award Ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Ark..
The Owls Fund
The Owls Fund is the primary fundraising arm of Kennesaw State Athletics with the goal of supporting our student-athletes, coaches and each of our 18 NCAA Division I programs. Through initiatives such as Legacy Lockers, the Dot Martin Scholarship Golf Classic, sport-specific giving opportunities, general donations and season tickets, The Owls Fund connects fans with KSU's programs and student-athletes. Members receive exclusive benefits such as hospitality seating areas and events at Kennesaw State home games, and more. Join The Owls Fund here and discover more opportunities on how you can support Kennesaw State Athletics.
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