Southeast Missouri State University announced Tom Matukewicz as its new head football coach on Thursday.
The man known as “Coach Tuke” comes to Cape Girardeau from the University of Toledo. Matukewicz has been Toledo’s defensive coordinator for the past two years. Prior to that, he held coaching positions at Northern Illinois University, Emporia State, Southern Illinois University and several community colleges. He inherits a team that went three and nine last year under former head coach Tony Samuel, who was fired three weeks ago. Samuel still had two years left on his contract. To Matukewicz, Samuel’s departure illustrates the university’s desire to win: “You don’t tell a guy not to coach and pay him if winning ain’t important. To me that showed a commitment, like winning is important.”
Matukewicz will earn an annual base salary of 130 thousand dollars with additional yearly compensation of 57 thousand.
