After a distinguished five-year playing career, Matt Leunen moves from the field to the sidelines as Pacific’s tight ends coach.
Leunen followed his former offensive coordinator, Jim Craft, from Portland State to Pacific. Leunen played five years for the Vikings under both Jerry Glanville and Tim Walsh, spending two seasons as a tight end and three as an offensive tackle. He was selected as an Honorable Mention All-Big Sky Conference selection at tackle in 2009.
As a junior, Leunen played in all 11 games after making a successful transition from tight end to tackle. He played a key role in leading the Vikings to the top passing offense in NCAA Division I-FCS for the second season in a row.
A native of Redmond, Ore., Leunen was a standout football and basketball at Redmond High School. A three-time letterwinner in football, Leunen earned First Team All-Intermountain Conference and Second Team All-State honors at both tight end and punter. He was also selected to play in the 2005 Les Schwab Game.
Leunen, 23, graduated from Portland State in 2010 with a degree in social science. His brother, Maarty, was a standout basketball player at the University of Oregon.
