Matt Walker, Head Coach - UW-River Falls
Thu Feb 05 2026
On this episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we're joined by Matt Walker, head football coach at University of Wisconsin–River Falls.
Coach Walker reflects on his journey through the profession, including his early years as both a head baseball and football coach, the lessons learned from navigating tough seasons, and the mindset shifts that helped him build a national championship program at the Division III level.
Follow Coach Walker and UW–River Falls Football:
@CoachWalkerRF | @UWRFFootball
Subscribe, rate, and review Inside the Headset on your favorite podcast platform to help more coaches discover the show.
🔗 https://linktr.ee/insidetheheadset
Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro
01:09 Getting into the profession
01:33 When did you want to be a part of this great profession?
05:14 Breaking away from the family career path
06:44 Taking over as interim head coach
09:23 Maturing quickly to handle the workload
12:26 Life as an offensive assistant (2000–2005)
14:44 Leading both baseball and football programs
18:28 Lessons learned coaching multiple sports
21:25 Learning to step back after leading
23:46 Building a sharper plan at River Falls
25:31 Putting your own flavor on a program
29:13 Learning from gambles that didn't work
32:49 Why UW–River Falls was the right fit
35:25 Importance of administrative support
37:58 Lessons from a 0–10 season
40:11 Championships and hardship
41:10 Mindset shifts as a head coach
46:23 Transitioning to tempo
49:04 Team communication and internal leadership
51:24 Creating a program opponents feel
53:13 Reflecting on the journey
59:43 Closing
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On this episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we're joined by Matt Walker, head football coach at University of Wisconsin–River Falls. Coach Walker reflects on his journey through the profession, including his early years as both a head baseball and football coach, the lessons learned from navigating tough seasons, and the mindset shifts that helped him build a national championship program at the Division III level. Follow Coach Walker and UW–River Falls Football: @CoachWalkerRF | @UWRFFootball Subscribe, rate, and review Inside the Headset on your favorite podcast platform to help more coaches discover the show. 🔗 https://linktr.ee/insidetheheadset Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:09 Getting into the profession 01:33 When did you want to be a part of this great profession? 05:14 Breaking away from the family career path 06:44 Taking over as interim head coach 09:23 Maturing quickly to handle the workload 12:26 Life as an offensive assistant (2000–2005) 14:44 Leading both baseball and football programs 18:28 Lessons learned coaching multiple sports 21:25 Learning to step back after leading 23:46 Building a sharper plan at River Falls 25:31 Putting your own flavor on a program 29:13 Learning from gambles that didn't work 32:49 Why UW–River Falls was the right fit 35:25 Importance of administrative support 37:58 Lessons from a 0–10 season 40:11 Championships and hardship 41:10 Mindset shifts as a head coach 46:23 Transitioning to tempo 49:04 Team communication and internal leadership 51:24 Creating a program opponents feel 53:13 Reflecting on the journey 59:43 Closing