In his first season as Northwestern State’s defensive coordinator, Matt Conner’s unit belied its collective experience and began laying the foundation for a return to greatness.
Included in that group were linebacker Blake Gotcher and defensive end Chancellor Owens, both of whom earned All-American honors.
Gotcher, the nation’s leading tackler with 162, was named to a trio of All-American teams — The Associated Press, Phil Steele and STATS Perform — while becoming a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is given to the nation’s top FCS defensive player.
Owens, meanwhile, earned Freshman All-American honors from Sports Illustrated after leading the Demons with 10.5 tackles for loss.
Conner’s time as the Demons’ defensive coordinator, extends his relationship with head coach Blaine McCorkle that dates to 2018.
Conner capped a seven-year run at Belhaven — the final three as defensive coordinator — with a USA South Conference championship and a Division III Playoff berth — both program firsts.
Conner’s defense ranked third overall in the USA South in 2023, allowing 279.4 yards per game, while standing second in passing yards allowed per game at 180.4.
Led by Defensive Player of the Year and All-American Carlton Brown, the Blazers placed four defenders on the All-USA South First Team.
Brown, who had 13 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, was joined on that unit by linebacker Wyatt Beck, cornerback Dee Gray and safety Josiah Raymond.
Brown collected first-team All-Region III honors while Gray (10 pass breakups, two interceptions) was named third-team All-Region III.
The Blazers’ defensive unit was dominant all year in 2022, helping Belhaven to an 8-2 finish. Connor Fordham was named the USA South Defensive Player of the Year after recording nearly 100 tackles to lead Conner’s group. The unit held opponents to just 15 points per game and just three yards per rushing attempt.
Five defensive players earned All-USA South honors following the campaign.
Under Conner in 2021, the Belhaven defense continued to be among the best in the American Southwest Conference led by six All-ASC recognitions. Additionally, Brown was named the ASC Defensive Lineman of the Year and an AFCA Division III All-American on the Second Team defense. Brown was the Blazers’ first All-American in the NCAA era.
During the spring of 2021, Conner assumed the role of defensive coordinator and played a crucial part in leading the Belhaven defense to a highly successful season, one of the best in recent years. The 2021 campaign ended with six defensive players receiving all-conference honors, including first-team All-ASC defensive lineman Demetrius Brokenberry, second-team All-ASC defensive lineman Colton Strain, and second-team All-ASC/D3football.com All-Region defensive lineman Carlton Brown.
A native of Oxford, Mississippi, Conner’s playing career at Oxford High School led to All-State honors and an opportunity to represent the state as an offensive lineman in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star game.
Conner played two seasons as an offensive lineman at Itawamba Community College where he was a part of one of the nation’s most productive junior college offenses during the 2007 and 2008 seasons. After competing at Itawamba, Conner played at Delta State University.
Following his playing career, Conner earned his bachelor’s degree in special education at the University of Mississippi as he simultaneously worked on the football staff at Oxford High School.
During his six seasons coaching at Oxford High, Conner coached tight ends, offensive and defensive line, and powerlifting. Conner helped coach the Chargers to a 66-14 record and played a part in developing seven NCAA Division I football players and one Mississippi Defensive Player of the Year. He also helped the Chargers’ powerlifting team win three consecutive state championships.
Conner and his wife, Amanda, have two sons — Reid and Beau.
