Matt Limegrover Named PSU O-Line Coach

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. – Penn State head coach James Franklin has named former Minnesota assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Matt Limegrover as the Nittany Lions’ offensive line coach. Limegrover brings 25 years of collegiate coaching experience to the Penn State staff.

“We are really excited to have Matt join our staff,” Franklin said. “He is another Pennsylvania guy, born and raised in Pittsburgh, so he is very familiar with Penn State and this region. He brings a wealth of knowledge and a ton of great experience, both as an offensive line coach and as an offensive coordinator. The numbers that his offenses have put up speak for themselves. As great of a coach as Matt is, he is an even better man; he cares about people, cares about education and cares about the community. We are looking forward to having Matt, his wife, Ann, and their children, Emma and T.J., join our Penn State Football family.”

“I am both humbled and honored to join Coach Franklin’s staff and coach at Penn State,” Limegrover said. “Growing up in Western Pennsylvania, I have been a Penn State fan my entire life and to now have the opportunity to coach there is overwhelming. I can’t wait to get there and start working on building an offensive line to help this program become a championship team.”

Limegrover spent the last five seasons at Minnesota as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. He held the title of assistant head coach for the last two seasons. During Limegrover’s tenure, the Golden Gopher offense had steady growth, increasing their scoring average by 10 points from 2011-14. He helped Minnesota to three consecutive bowls and eight wins in 2013 and 2014 after a 3-9 mark in 2011.

The Pittsburgh native re-energized the Minnesota run game during his tenure, culminating in the Gopher rushing attack finishing 28th nationally with 2,801 rushing yards in 2014. Minnesota’s 32 rushing touchdowns in 2014 were the most for the Gophers since 2005. In 2013, Minnesota finished 37th in the country in rushing yards with 2,538, marking the first time since 2006 that the Gophers had more than 2,000 rushing yards in a season.

In 2014, Limegrover guided Minnesota offensive lineman Zac Epping to first team all-conference honors, becoming the first Gopher lineman to be named to the first team since 2005. Limegrover’s offensive lines were among some of the least penalized in the country, committing just 13 penalties in 2013 and just 11 in 2014.

Limegrover spent 16 seasons working under former Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill, following him along four stops at Minnesota, Northern Illinois, Southern Illinois and Emporia State. He started his time with Kill as the offensive line coach at Emporia State for two seasons (1999-00) and then served as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach under Kill at Southern Illinois (2001-07) and Northern Illinois (2008-10).

During his tenure at Northern Illinois, Limegrover’s offense was seventh in the country in rushing (260.4 ypg), 12th in scoring offense (38.0) and 19th in total offense (450.0 ypg) in 2010. He produced seven All-Mid-American Conference offensive linemen during his time with the Huskies, including two first team selections in 2010. Limegrover helped Northern Illinois to three consecutive bowl appearances and the 2010 MAC West title.

At Southern Illinois, Limegrover guided an offense that ranked in the Top 10 in scoring in the NCAA for six consecutive seasons (2002-07). The Saluki rushing attack totaled more than 3,000 yards in four different seasons. Limegrover mentored two FCS All-American offensive linemen at SIU and helped the Salukis win three conference championships.

Limegrover also made coaching stops at Ferris State (1997-98) as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator, Northwestern (1995-96) as a graduate assistant and his alma mater, the University of Chicago (1991-94) serving in a variety of roles, spanning interim head coach, offensive coordinator, offensive line coach and tight ends coach. Limegrover was part of two Big Ten Championship teams while at Northwestern.

Limegrover played offensive line at the University of Chicago from 1987-90 and earned his degree in 1991. He was an honorable mention All-UAA lineman as a senior. Limegrover also has his master’s from Northwestern.

A Pittsburgh Central Catholic graduate, Limegrover and his wife, Ann, have two children, Emma and T.J.

Matt Limegrover Coaching Experience
2014-15: Minnesota – Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
2011-13: Minnesota – Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
2008-10: Northern Illinois – Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
2001-07: Southern Illinois – Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
1999-00: Emporia State – Offensive Line
1997-98: Ferris State – Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator
1995-96: Northwestern – Graduate Assistant
1994: University of Chicago – Interim Head Coach
1993: University of Chicago – Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
1992: University of Chicago – Offensive Line
1991: University of Chicago – Tight Ends