Northwestern College Athletics

Matt McCarty is in his 10th season as the Red Raiders' head coach entering the 2025 season, moving into the position in December of 2015. McCarty was the team's defensive coordinator for 11 years and also served as assistant head coach from 2012 to 2015.

He has led the Northwestern football program to two National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Football Championship Series (FCS) semifinals four times (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) and has made three NAIA FCS National Championship game appearances (2020, 2022, 2023). McCarty led the Northwestern football program to their first NAIA national title in 2022 since the 1983 season. 

"I want to instill in our players to always do their best," commented McCarty. "I want them to do what is right and to make a difference both on and off the field. I really enjoy coaching at Northwestern with our staff because we do our best to meet our young men where they are spiritually, academically and athletically and then help them grow and become their best."

In 2020, McCarty joined the NAIA executive committee as a member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) sub-group, serving as the second vice president for the NAIA coaches in the association.

Under McCarty's direction, the Raiders reached the national championship game in three of four seasons (2020, 2022-23). In 2023, he guided the Raiders to their first outright conference title since 1996.

McCarty was a four-year player for the Northwestern football team (2000-03) under head coach Orv Otten. He was named an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American defensive back his senior season in 2003, helping guide a Red Raider team that went 10-2 on the season and 9-1 in GPAC play and a trip to the NAIA FCS Quarterfinal round. Additionally, McCarty was a member of the Red Raider baseball team in the spring. McCarty resides in Orange City with his wife, Alisha and their children, Brooks and Deviryn. 

Coaching Experience:
    2015-present: Head Coach, Northwestern College
    2012-2015: Associate Head Coach, Northwestern College
    2005-2015: Defensive Coordinator, Northwestern College
    2003-04: Assistant Coach, Okoboji High School

NWC COACHING HIGHLIGHTS:

• 1 NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (2022)
• 3 NAIA FCS National Championship game appearances (2020, 2022-23)
• 4 NAIA FCS Semifinal appearances (2020-23)
• 8 NAIA FCS Playoff Appearances
• 33 NAIA All-Americans 
• 9 GPAC Defensive Players of the Year (most recent: Parker Fryar, 2024)
• 3 GPAC Offensive Player of the Year (most recent: Jalyn Gramstad, 2023)
• 119 All-Conference Performers
• 52 All-GPAC First Team Performers
• 36 All-GPAC Second Team Performers
• 8 CSC Academic All-America Selections
• 14 CSC Academic All-District Honorees 

Coaching Accomplishments:

• NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPION (2022)
• 1: AFCA NAIA National Coach of the Year (2022)
• 2: AFCA Region IV Coach of the Year (2022, 2023)
• 1: AFCA Region IV Co-Coach of the Year (2017)
• set a program record for most consecutive wins (27-straight) between 2022-23 seasons
• finalist for the Assistant Coach of the Year (2014)
• led the NAIA's top-ranked in total and scoring defense in 2014 (as Defensive Coordinator

updated June 2025