University of Maine Athletics

Matt Birkett is currently in his seventh year on the Maine Football Staff. Birkett was promoted to Cornerbacks coach in the Spring of 2014 and was named the Defensive Backs Coach in the spring of 2017. He spent his second season at UMaine coaching the running backs and worked with the tight ends during his first season with the Black Bears in 2012.

The 2017 season saw Birkett provide key mentoring to one of Maine's most veteran units. Cornerback Najee Goode earned Preseason All-CAA honors while opposite corner Manny Patterson was named to the All-CAA second team. Patterson finished the season with 17 pass deflections, ranking at the top of the CAA in pass deflections per game (1.70). Birkett's scheme and guidance led Maine to 11 interceptions.

In 2016, Birkett continued to build upon Maine's recent trend of having one of the top defensive secondary units in the CAA. Individually, Birkett worked closely with All-CAA third team selection Goode.

During the 2015 season, Birkett mentored a young cornerback tandem which was led by the senior leadership of Sherrod Baltimore. Birkett's corners assisted Maine to the third ranked total defense in the CAA (316.8 ypg). Specifically, Maine hauled down 12 interceptions, including five coming from the cornerback position. Senior Baltimore pulled down a pair of picks against Rhode Island while underclassman Jeffery DeVaughn (2) and Najee Goode (1) added three picks.

In 2014, Birkett focused on the secondary and Maine’s corners, helping guide the Black Bears to a second-best ranking in the CAA in total defense (15th nationally) and the top-rank in the league for defensive pass efficiency (8th nationally). During that season, Maine ranked second in the league in pass defense, allowing just 172.2 yards per game with 14 interceptions. Birkett worked closely with all-conference selection Axel Ofori.

During the 2013 campaign, Birkett assisted the Black Bears to the fifth-ranked rushing offense (174.5) while the Black Bears produced the fifth most rushing touchdowns (21). Individually, Birkett guided senior Rickey Stevens to a 700+ yard rushing season while also assisting a pair of 500+ yard rushers in Nigel Jones (596) and Marcus Wasilewski (532). Jones ranked tied for fifth in the league with eight rushing touchdowns.

In his first season on staff at Maine, Birkett coached All-CAA member Justin Perillo, who finished second on the team with five receiving touchdowns and later moved on to a free agent deal with the Green Bay Packers.

Birkett came to Maine from Chaminade High School in California where he was the defensive backs coach and helped the team to a 10-2 record and a CIF semi-final appearance.

Birkett spent the 2010 campaign working for UCLA from the Pac-12 where he worked with the football team’s video department.

Prior to going to the Bruins, he coached the wide receivers for Pac-Five High School in Hawaii in 2008 and 2009. Pac-Five led the state in receiving yards both seasons.

Birkett spent the 2007 season working at Rindge and Latin High School in Massachusetts. He served as an assistant coach working with the wide receivers.

An Edinboro College graduate in 2003, he led the Scots to a PSAC title and previously played at Rhode Island where he was named the team’s Co-MVP in 1999.

Birkett resides in Bangor with his wife, Sara. He is the proud father of son Justus, Mischa, daughter Siena and a baby-boy Massai who was born in May of 2016.