Matthew Kraft is in his second season as a graduate assistant coach at UTSA, where he works with the safeties and assists the defensive staff. He is responsible for breaking down and organizing opponents’ film, instructing the scout team, generating practice schedules and scripts and assisting with the recruiting process.
In his first year with the Roadrunners in 2012, the program registered an 8-4 overall record and a 3-3 mark in its first and only season in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The campaign was highlighted by historic wins against South Alabama, the program’s first road and Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) victory, and New Mexico State, its first league win. The defense forced 29 turnovers (16 fumbles/13 interceptions), which led to 22 scores (15 TDs/7 FGs), and free safety Triston Wade garnered first-team All-WAC accolades.
Kraft came to UTSA from his alma mater, Wabash College, where he spent the 2011 seasons as an assistant coach. He tutored the linebackers and helped lead the Little Giants to a 12-1 record, including winning the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) title with a perfect 6-0 mark. Wabash advanced to the 2011 NCAA Division III quarterfinal round and all three of his linebackers earned all-conference accolades, including AFCA All-American C.J. Gum and NCAC Newcomer of the Year A.J. Akinribade, who both were first-team selections.
A standout linebacker for Wabash from 2005-09, Kraft was a two-time all-conference performer for the Little Giants. As a senior team captain in 2009, Kraft registered 54 tackles, including four for loss, one interception and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. As a junior, Kraft recorded 86 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks, and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a TD, en route to garnering second-team all-conference honors. He started every game as a strong safety in 2006, finishing second on the team in tackles with 78 and grabbing a pair of interceptions, one of which resulted in a score. Kraft played in seven games at linebacker and on special teams as a freshman.
A native of Newburgh, Ind., he earned his bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Wabash in 2010.