Former War Hawks standout scholar-athlete Matthew Newby rejoined the McMurry University coaching staff in March 2023.
After graduating from McMurry in 2016, Coach Newby began his coaching career at Beaumont West Brook High School, where he coached future NFL offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. and helped guide the Bruins to an impressive 11–2 season.
In 2017, Newby moved to Louisiana to become the Offensive Coordinator and Head Men’s Track & Field Coach at Oakdale High School. During his tenure, he led the Warriors to their highest-scoring football season in a decade and secured two district championships in track and field.
Following two successful seasons at Oakdale, Newby advanced to the role of Offensive Coordinator at Bolton High School in Alexandria, Louisiana. Though he spent just one season with the Bears, he was quickly elevated to Interim Head Coach and led the program to a school-record 3,573 rushing yards—including a single-game rushing record of 684 yards.
When COVID-19 hit, Newby moved his family back to Texas, where he connected with McMurry Defensive Coordinator Correy Washington at Brentwood Christian School in Austin. He joined Brentwood Christian in 2020, serving as the Director of Athletic Operations, Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, and Offensive Line Coach, while also contributing as Assistant Head Coach for Track & Field.
During his time at Brentwood, Newby helped lead the Bears to a TAPPS Division II playoff berth and mentored five athletes who went on to compete at the collegiate level. He also played a key role in guiding the Men’s Track & Field team to the 2021 TAPPS Division II State Championship.
Before arriving back at McMurry, Newby spent a brief but impactful stint at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy in South Austin. He initially served as the Director of Facilities and Grounds, Special Teams Coordinator, Offensive Run Game Coordinator, and Offensive Line Coach, and was soon elevated to Interim Head Coach. Under his leadership, four student-athletes earned Division I opportunities, with offers from Texas Tech, Kansas, Texas State, and Colorado State Pueblo.
Since returning to McMurry, Newby has led the offensive line unit to exceptional success. He has coached 13 players to All-Conference honors, including a high of five offensive linemen earning SCAC All-Conference recognition in 2025. His offensive line finished the 2023 season as the #1 pass-protection unit in the ASC and repeated as the top-ranked pass-protection unit in the SCAC in 2024. His journey from McMurry standout to McMurry coach underscores his deep connection to the program and his commitment to developing the next generation of War Hawks.
Newby began his college playing career at Stephen F. Austin State University from 2010–2012, contributing to the Lumberjacks’ 2010 back-to-back Southland Conference Championship run. After the 2011 season, he transferred to McMurry University—then an NCAA Division II program—where he became a cornerstone of the War Hawks’ offensive front. From 2012–2014, Newby started 23 consecutive games and earned 2014 Preseason All-American honors. Following a career-ending injury, he transitioned seamlessly into coaching, serving as Assistant Offensive Line Coach under then–Coach Adam Kirby.
