Matthew Leach joined the Savannah State University football staff as the Tigers’ inside linebackers coach in 2026. A native of Raeford, North Carolina, Leach begins his coaching career at Savannah State while pursuing a Master of Business Administration.
Leach arrives at “The Marsh” following a standout collegiate playing career that included stops at Barton College and Fayetteville State University. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Fayetteville State in May 2026 after completing his final collegiate season with the Broncos.
A four-year starter during his playing career, Leach spent three seasons at Barton before transferring to Fayetteville State for his final season. He quickly established himself as a leader for the Broncos and became one of the anchors of the Fayetteville State defense.
Selected as a team captain in 2025, Leach led the Broncos with 74 total tackles, including 39 solo stops and 35 assists, while adding 8.0 tackles for loss over 10 games. His 74 tackles ranked sixth in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), highlighting his consistency and ability to make plays throughout the season.
Leach’s performance earned him First-Team All-CIAA honors, while he was also selected as the CIAA Linebacker of the Week three times during the 2025 campaign. His impact extended beyond his production on the field, as he received Fayetteville State’s Player’s Choice Award, presented to the student-athlete whose consistency, work ethic, leadership and trust earned the respect of his teammates.
Following the season, Leach was selected to participate in the HBCU Legacy Bowl, providing him an opportunity to showcase his abilities alongside some of the top HBCU football student-athletes in the country.
Leach now brings the experience gained throughout his collegiate career to the Savannah State coaching staff. Having competed as a starter, captain and defensive leader, he enters the coaching profession with a strong understanding of the preparation, discipline and accountability required to succeed at the collegiate level.
As Savannah State’s inside linebackers coach, Leach is committed to developing student-athletes on and off the field while helping them improve their football knowledge, leadership skills and overall development. His coaching philosophy emphasizes fundamentals, preparation, discipline and using the lessons learned through football to prepare student-athletes for success beyond the game
