Matt Caponi - Football Coach - Iowa State University Athletics

Matt Caponi

Title:
Cornerbacks
Email:
mcaponi@iastate.edu
Phone:
515-294-6721

Matt Caponi is in his fourth season at Iowa State assisting the Cyclone cornerbacks.

Caponi, who has 17 years of collegiate coaching experience, reunited with Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell in 2019. The two Mount Union (Ohio) graduates were on staff together at Mount Union in 2005.

Caponi has played a huge role in Iowa State’s success the past three seasons, as the Cyclones made three bowl games, finished in the top-four in the Big 12 standings and ranked in the top-three in the league in scoring defense every season of his tenure.

The 2020 season was historic in many ways. Iowa State finished the regular season in first place in the Big 12 standings, made the Big 12 Championship game and qualified for a New Year’s Six bowl for the first time in school history.

The Cyclones capped off the season with a 34-17 win over Oregon in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl.

ISU’s eight conferences wins and nine overall wins eclipsed or tied school records, and the Cyclones earned their highest ranking in school history during the season (#6) and postseason (#9).

Caponi has helped the Cyclone defense rank third (25.9- 2019), second (21.4- 2020) and third (20.5, 2021) in the Big 12 in scoring defense in each of the last three seasons, all totals among the top-50 nationally

ISU’s total defense numbers have been just as stout. ISU was second in the league in 2020 (340.4) and 2021 (310.5). The Cyclones’ 2021 defensive effort ranked ninth nationally and was the lowest output by a Cyclone defense since 1984.

Anthony Johnson Jr. has emerged as one of the top corners in the Big 12 thanks to Caponi. The three-time All-Big 12 performer enters his senior season in 2022 with 183 tackles, 13.0 TFL, 24 PBU and four forced fumbles in his career.

Prior to his arrival in Ames, Caponi was the defensive backs coach at West Virginia from 2016-18. The Mountaineers were one of the top defensive teams in the Big 12 during his tenure in Morgantown.

In 2018, Caponi mentored four players who earned All-Big 12 recognition, including Kenny Robinson Jr., who was a First-Team All-Big 12 selection after tying for third in the league in interceptions (4) and ranking fourth in the conference in tackles (77).

The 2017 defense ranked No. 16 nationally in most defensive three-and-outs per game and No. 24 in best third-down defense. Kyzir White, who was drafted in the fourth round of the NFL Draft by San Diego, was named an honorable mention All-American and a Second-Team All-Big 12 pick. He tied for seventh in the Big 12 in tackles.

In his first year at WVU (2016), the Mountaineer defense ranked No. 24 nationally in fumbles recovered (11) and turnovers gained (25) and No. 35 in pass interceptions (14) and scoring defense (24.0). In Big 12 games, WVU’s defense was No. 1 in scoring defense, total defense and fewest opponent first downs, No. 2 in rushing defense land No. 3 in third-down defense.

He came to West Virginia after serving as the safeties coach at Arizona for four years, first as a graduate assistant in 2012 and then as a full-time coach from 2013-15.

In 2014, he coached All-Pac 12 honoree Jared Tevis, who finished second on the team in tackles and fourth in the conference with 120. He also had nine tackles for loss, two interceptions, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

In 2013, Arizona safeties accounted for almost one-third of the Wildcats’ total tackles and had five interception returns for touchdowns, tied for most among FBS schools. The UA defense had 18 interceptions, the most since totaling 16 in 2008.

Prior to Arizona, he spent one year as a graduate assistant at Pitt (2011) and was the defensive coordinator at Washington & Jefferson for three years (2008-11).

At W&J, Caponi worked with the linebackers in 2010 and oversaw the secondary for three years (2006-09). While he was on staff in 2008, the Presidents advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA National Tournament.

He started his coaching career in 2004 as a student assistant at Mount Union and was the JV Coordinator and linebackers coach in 2005.

Caponi played for national powerhouse Mount Union, helping the Raiders to a 55-1 record and three NCAA Division III national championships. He was a team captain, a starting safety and earned second team all-conference honors as a senior.

The Pittsburgh, Penn., native graduated from Mount Union with a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 2005.

He and his wife, the former Kathleen Coyne, have a son, Salvatore, and a daughter, Sienna.

Mic'd Up With Matt Caponi

Coaching Experience
2019- Iowa State – Cornerbacks
2016-18 West Virginia – Defensive Backs
2013-15 Arizona – Safeties
2012 Arizona – Graduate Assistant
2011 Pittsburgh – Graduate Assistant
2008-10 Washington & Jefferson – Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Backs
2006-07 Washington & Jefferson – Defensive Backs
2005 Mount Union – Linebackers
2004 Mount Union – Student Assistant