

Every conclusion marks a fresh start. OSU stated that former Buckeye commentator and former Indiana co-DC and safeties coach Matt Guerrieri will take over as safeties coach after Perry Eliano was fired. Guerrieri played ten seasons at Duke before joining OSU in 2022 and joining the Hoosiers the following year. Alongside current OSU DC Jim Knowles, he began his career there as a graduate assistant and worked his way up to become the Blue Devils’ safeties coach and co-DC.
“I do have great respect for Matt. He’s – I don’t know if I have to say a son to me, I’m not much older, maybe a little brother,” said Knowles. You can infer how Matt is as a person from this. The Hoosiers gave up 237.8 yards through the air per game, ranking 86th. And 29.9 points per game, ranking 98th nationally, in Guerrieri’s only season as co-DC of Indiana.
However, during his tenure with the Duke, specifically as their safeties coach from 2015 to 21, they finished with 3 passing defenses in the top 50. But there is a record of No. 16 pass defense in 2017 with 179.4 yards. Moreover, he was one of 3 contenders for the 2020 AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year award. And was chosen for the Broyles Award in 2018, which is given to the nation’s best assistant coach. Even though Guerrieri only played for the Buckeyes for 1 season, he made an impression on a number of players who are probably excited to see him again. Just like nailing it at work, the safety coach can rock a great personal life too.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Who is Matt Guerrieri’s wife?
“A tremendous family man.” With the sentence, Indiana HC Tom Allen described Matt Guerrieri as a person. The fact that Matt is known as a “tremendous family man” demonstrated how much value he places on his family, despite his coaching duties. Therefore, it appears that Matt’s family members are really fortunate. And the first person who springs to mind among them is his wife, who has been Matt’s pillar of support during the highs and lows of his coaching career. She is Alex Thompson, a native of Asheville, North Carolina.
Happy Mother’s Day to every amazing mom for who you are and what you do! We love you Alex! pic.twitter.com/KTAIJwV11s
— Matt Guerrieri (@MattGuerrieri) May 12, 2024
The connection between Matt and Alex Thompson is based on their shared ideals of commitment, support, and family harmony. It is highlighted by their dedication to one another as they follow their shared interests in life and athletics. They met while attending college, and both came from a good intellectual and athletic background. Though the precise date of their relationship’s beginning is unknown, the couple’s union in June 2019 marked the start of their family life. And they are not alone in their fam because they have responsibilities for their young ones.
What’s your perspective on:
Is Matt Guerrieri the key to revitalizing OSU's defense, or just another coaching change?
Have an interesting take?
Does Matt Guerrieri have kids?
Matt and Alex have two children. Shortly after getting married, they welcomed their first son, James, into the world. Later, they had a second son, Max. These four have a close relationship that not only fosters the kids’ sensible development but also makes the safety coach feel fulfilled.
And Guerrieri’s social media presence demonstrates their close relationship. Last year, Matt posted a Mother’s Day greeting to Alex on behalf of his kids. A photo of these four was included in the piece along with the words, “Happy Mother’s Day to every amazing mom for who you are and what you do! We love you Alex!”
The Guerrieri family seems to cherish their time together, striking a balance between Matt’s coaching work and their personal lives. But Matt also learned the value of family from his parents, which he instills in his children.
Who are Matt’s parents?
Carla and James (Jim) P. Guerrieri, also known as Dr. G, are the parents of Matt Guerrieri. They were both Matt’s big supporters when he started his started. Matt’s father didn’t stay with him for very long. After a protracted fight with cancer, his father passed away on September 15th, at the age of 60. Despite that personal tragedy, Matt, Duke’s co-defensive coordinator, demonstrated his passion by coaching his team to a 40-27 victory over Baylor.
Matt might truly deserve to be listed as one of 247Sports’ Top 30 Coaches Under 30 for his level of dedication. But the primary driving force behind his success was his father. However, his father, Jim, had no athletic background; he spent more than 30 years working as an OB/GYN. And he instilled in Matt the value of hard work.
Jim had not missed a day of work in nearly 30 years when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2015. He would go on to perform surgeries and schedule appointments until his retirement in May 2018. Jim was an inspiration to everyone he met, a modest man who never grumbled. And Matt’s mother, Carla, has emerged as the OSU safety coach’s greatest strength, following his father’s death. However, there is no publicly accessible information on his mother; this could be for privacy reasons.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
But Matt’s modest demeanor and unwavering dedication to his career make it very evident that his parents nurtured him well. And now those principles and values have paid dividends.
What is Matt Guerrieri’s net worth?
Matt, OSU’s new safety coach, has a two-year deal that ends on January 31, 2026, and his base pay is $425,000. The combined salary of Ohio State’s assistant coaches is anticipated to exceed $11 million in 2024. Why not? See the defensive growth and play of OSU. However, Matt has been working with DC Jim Knowles for a number of years, and his return to Ohio State is a continuation of that partnership.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Praising his coach-like qualities, Duke safety Lathan Ransom once remarked, “When he was here, that was my guy. One of the smartest guys I know, and I think he brings a lot of good things. You see how successful he was at Duke. You saw how successful he was here. And to go (to Indiana), I’m honestly really happy for him, but when we get on that field, it’s us against him.”
In the future, hopefully, this seasoned coach will be able to increase his wealth while strengthening the nation’s top defense. Let’s see what this family man can offer OSU in 2025.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Is Matt Guerrieri the key to revitalizing OSU's defense, or just another coaching change?