Matt Weikert joined the LU coaching staff in January 2020 as the defensive coordinator and works directly with the Cardinals’ inside linebackers.
In his first season with the Cardinals, Weikert’s defense produced two all-conference selections despite the squad’s overall youth. Junior defensive end Tylo Phillips and sophomore defensive back Anthony Ruffin both garnered third-team all-league honors as LU stunned the Southland by finishing in a tie for fifth in the league standings.
In his second year with the team, Weikert worked with one of the youngest defenses in school history. LU’s 2021 depth chart had only seven upperclassmen, and just three seniors. That squad also consisted of 13 freshmen as Big Red builds for the future.Â
Weikert comes to Beaumont after spending the 2019 season at Vanderbilt working with the Commodores’ outside linebackers. Prior to arriving on the West End, Weikert spent 12 seasons at Air Force, including nine as outside linebackers’ coach. He also worked with the Falcons’ defensive line and inside linebackers during his time with the USAFA.
Weikert helped transform Air Force’s defense into one of the top units in the Mountain West Conference, ranking among the league leaders in defensive scoring, rushing, passing and total defense.
In 2009, Air Force had one of its best defenses in school history. The defense led the conference and ranked fifth nationally in pass defense (154.3 ypg). The unit was second in the conference and 11th nationally in total defense, allowing just 288.3 yards per game. The team was second in the league and 10th nationally in scoring defense (15.7), the program’s best mark since 1998. USAFA’s defense also scored five touchdowns in 2009.
Weikert served as Wake Forest’s operations and video assistant in 2006 in his second stint at the school. He spent the 2005 season as the outside linebackers’ coach at Tennessee-Chattanooga. Prior to his work in Chattanooga, Weikert worked at Wake Forest for two years as a graduate assistant. The first year he was the defensive graduate assistant, working primarily with defensive coordinator Dean Hood and linebackers coach Brad Lambert. He was also heavily involved with the scout offense in preparing the defensive unit each week, as well as weekly opponent game planning.
Weikert originally joined the Wake Forest staff in 2002 as a recruiting intern.
A 2002 graduate of Ohio, Weikert received a bachelor’s degree in communications.
While at Ohio, Weikert was a member of the football team for five seasons, four of which came under the direction of head coach Jim Grobe. He earned second-team All-Mid-American Conference honors in 2000 after leading the Bobcats in tackles for loss (16) and sacks (6). He also recorded two interceptions and broke up four passes that season.
A native of Covington, Ohio, Weikert, and his wife, Kelly (Graher), have four sons — Laken, Knox, Finley and Major.
