Southeast Missouri State University’s football team is preparing for a successful season, but one integral part of the team has made the game his life.

Southeast head football coach Tom Matukewicz has had a passion for coaching from a young age, stating that it’s all he ever wanted to do.

“Even in the eighth grade, I remember doing a halftime speech in the bathroom,” he said. “I just fell in love with football and the impact that coaches have in my life, so this is really the only job I ever wanted.”

Matukewicz had several influential coaches early in life, but one mentor in particular was important to him.

Tom Michael, Matukewicz’s high school defensive coordinator, set the standard as a mentor and guide for him.

“I lived with him in high school, and he had a profound impact on my life,” he said.

When he went on to college, Matukewicz continued to follow this path by pursuing an undergraduate degree in physical education with a master’s degree in athletic administration. In 2014, he became head coach for the Redhawks, leading them to three wins over nationally-ranked Football Championship Subdivision opponents since becoming the head coach. This is the most number of wins under a single coach in Southeast’s history.

As for this season, Matukewicz said he is confident the Redhawks will come out strong.

“I feel confident that we’re gonna have a good year because we’re bringing back a lot of our better players from a year ago,” he said.

Among the returning players are Hosket, Forbes, Wilkerson, Donnerson and and others, with newcomers to round out the team.

Matukewicz emphasizes the importance of bonding off the field when it comes to his players, saying love is the team’s most important cornerstone.

“Something I’ve really made an emphasis on this year is getting to know your teammates,” he said. “I changed one of our cornerstones; it used to be passion, and now it’s love. I want to make sure that we’re doing a good job spending time with each other and really, deeply caring about each other.”

Player relationships have improved over the past few years, evolving from cliques to a collective friend group. Matukewicz said it was one of his goals to promote such camaraderie.

While coaching comprises the majority of Matukewicz’s professional life, the principles he has taken from the job have helped him in personal aspects of his life as well.

“I don’t believe that the coaching profession you can live an undisciplined lifestyle and not have high character and be a good football coach,” he said.

He also said the job has taught him how to be his best for his wife and children.

“It’s also helped me in my personal life with my family,” he said. “It’s helped me to grow in those areas and helped me to try to get better at being a husband and a father.”

Whether it’s his job or his personal life, one thing is certain: Matukewicz wants to make a difference for his players and have a positive impact.

“I really coach because I love young people,” he said. “I love the sport of football as much as I love kids.”