Coach Matt Rhymer just concluded 8th season as the Head Football Coach for the University of the Cumberlands. He was hired in Spring of 2014 as the Patriots fifth head coach in program history.
In his time at UC he has guided the Patriots to 50-31 record with a 30-20 mark in Mid-South Conference play. He has lead Cumberlands to six winning seasons, including five straight and pair of trip to the NAIA postseason (2018 & 2019). In 2019, Rhymer and is staff notched an open round road win over Keiser to advance to the second round of the NAIA playoffs. Coach Rhymer has coached five NAIA All-Americans, had five players earn MSC top honors, 32 MSC First Team All-Conference selections, and 33 MSC Second Team All-Conference selections. In addition to their success on the field, Patriots football has also been successful in the classroom with 52 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes and 156 Academic All-Conference selection.
Rhymer was graduated from the University of the Cumberlands in 2007 with a degree in Public Health, 2012 Maters Of Teaching. He played football for the Patriots from 2003-2007 as a linebacker on a highly respected defensive unit. After graduation, Matt continued his education as he earned the opportunity to be a Graduate Assistant Coach and then a Full Time Assistant for the Patriots for five seasons and was part of four Mid-South Conference titles. Rhymer's ability to pay attention to detail, teach fundamentals, and connect with his players has given him the opportunity to become a great coach.
"It is an honor, a privilege, and a humbling opportunity that I have been preparing for since I was a player," said Coach Rhymer. "I had a great experience at UC as both a player and a coach and the opportunity to give back to the university that has done so much for me is an amazing occasion. I look forward to working with UC faculty and staff every single day. This is the best small college in America to me!”
"I have a ton of passion, energy, and commitment to UC," said Rhymer. "I look to continue to build a team of players that have pride, class, and character in all they do. We will focus on the student-athlete and becoming better people and good representatives for UC. Being able to share my faith and having the opportunity to instill Christian morals and values to build our team around Biblical principles will help us be successful in every phase of life."
Rhymer, a native of Harlan, Kentucky, is married to the former Jessica Lowrie, they have Two son‘s Weston Matthew and Bo Benjamin.
| Year |
Record |
MSC Record |
Honors |
| 2014 |
3-7 |
2-4 |
1 MSC First Team All-Conference, 4 MSC Second Team All-Conference, 3 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes, 11 MSC Academic All-Conference selections. |
| 2015 |
7-3 |
4-1 |
NAIA Second Team All-American, MSC Offensive Co-Player of the Year, 7 MSC First Team All-Conference, 4 MSC Second Team All-Conference, 11 MSC Academic All-Conference selections. |
| 2016 |
4-6 |
3-3 |
5 MSC First Team All-Conference, 6 MSC Second Team All-Conference, 5 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete, 15 MSC Academic All-Conference selection. |
| 2017 |
6-4 |
3-3 |
1 MSC First Team All-Conference, 7 MSC Second Team All-Conference Selection, 9 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete, 26 MSC Academic All-Conference selection. |
| 2018 |
10-2 |
5-1 |
NAIA Postseason Appearance. 1 NAIA Second Team All-American, 2 NAIA All-American Honorable Mention, MSC Offensive Player of the Year, MSC Champion of Character, 7 MSC First Team All-Conference, 7 MSC Second Team All-Conference, 12 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes, 26 MSC Academic All-Conference selections. |
| 2019 |
10-2 |
6-1 |
NAIA Postseason Appearance, advanced to the Second Round. 1 NAIA All-American HM, MSC Defensive Player of the Year, MSC Offensive Freshman of the Year, 6 MSC First Team All-Conference selection, 2 MSC Second Team All-Conference selections, 12 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes, 18 MSC Academic All-Conference selections. |
| 2020 |
4-3 |
4-3 |
2 MSC First Team All-Conference selections, 4 MSC Second Team All-Conference selections, 11 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes, 23 MSC Academic All-Conference selections. |
| 2021 |
6-4 |
3-4 |
3 MSC First Team All-Conference selections, 5 MSC Second Team All-Conference selections, 26 MSC Academic All-Conference selections. |
| Totals: |
50-31 (.617) |
30-20 (.600) |
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