Air Force Academy

Matt McGettigan

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Position: Strength/Conditioning Experience: 6th Year College: Luther College '87

Matt McGettigan is in his sixth season as the strength and conditioning coach for the Falcon football team.

Widely considered one of the best in the country, McGettigan helped transform the Falcon program. Prior to his coming to the Academy, the Falcons had posted a 12-24 record over the second half of the season from 2001-06. Since his arrival, the Falcons have won nearly 70 percent of their games over the second half of the season. In addition to being in better physical shape, the Falcons saw fewer significant injuries.

McGettigan played a key factor in the play of 2007 All-American Chad Hall, a 5-foot-8, 185-pound do-everything runner who averaged over 32 touches per game over the last seven weeks of the 2007 season.

McGettigan received the ultimate affirmation of excellence when he earned recognition as the 2001 National Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year by the Professional Football Strength and Conditioning Coaches Society. The award underscored the respect McGettigan has from his peers. McGettigan joined the Iowa State staff in 1996 with head coach Dan McCarney in 1996. He spent 11 years with the Cyclones before coming to Air Force in the summer of 2007.

Prior to his stint in Ames, he was an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Notre Dame from 1991-95. Before his work with the Fighting Irish, McGettigan served as the strength and conditioning coordinator for Wisconsin-Platteville from 1987-90.

McGettigan completed his undergraduate work in physical education at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, in 1987, where he was a three-year starter on the football team. He is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association. In January 1989, McGettigan received his certification as strength and conditioning specialist. He earned his master's degree in 1989 from Wisconsin-Platteville.

A native of Darlington, Wis., McGettigan is married to the former Darla Hook of Charles City, Iowa. They have two children, Mariah and Colin.