MOBILE, Ala. — Robert Matthews will not return as South Alabama’s offensive coordinator next season, according to several outlets, including FootballScoop.com. AL.com confirmed the report Wednesday night.
Matthews just completed his third season as the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator under head coach Joey Jones. He also coached the offensive line in his first two seasons before taking over the quarterbacks this fall.
The move comes as many programs around the country have finished their regular seasons ahead of conference championship weekend.
Record-Setting 2012 Season
In Matthews’ first season in 2012, South Alabama set school records for completions (244), passing yards (2,728), passing yards per game (209.8) and first downs (252).
Quarterback Ross Metheny set a school record with 189 completions and became the first South Alabama quarterback to pass for more than 2,000 yards in a season. Three Jaguar receivers finished the year in the top five of the program’s single-season lists for both receptions and receiving yards.
Offensive Gains in 2013
In 2013, South Alabama averaged more than 425 yards and nearly 30 points per game. The Jaguars set a school record by averaging 252.8 passing yards per game and broke the single-season passing yardage record with 3,033 yards.
Tight end Wes Saxton and receiver Shavarez Smith each set a school record with 50 receptions, and Smith set the single-season record with 940 receiving yards. The offensive line allowed 1.42 sacks per game, the fewest in the Sun Belt Conference.
2014 Offensive Statistics
South Alabama’s offense ranked lower in the Sun Belt this season. The Jaguars averaged 22.1 points per game, ninth among the conference’s 11 teams. They were also ninth in total offense at 372.8 yards per game and ninth in passing at 190.2 yards per game, and sixth in rushing at 182.6 yards per game.
South Alabama quarterbacks combined to complete 52.8 percent of their passes, with 16 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. The Jaguars’ 2,282 passing yards were the third-lowest total in the Sun Belt, and their passing efficiency rating of 110.0 was the lowest in the league.
Matthews’ Tenure at a Glance
- 2012: Offensive coordinator and offensive line coach; school records in completions, passing yards and first downs
- 2013: Offensive coordinator and offensive line coach; school records for passing yards per game (252.8) and season passing yards (3,033)
- 2014: Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach; 22.1 points and 372.8 yards per game
South Alabama has not announced a replacement.
