2024 NEMFCA 8-Man Hall of Fame Inductee Salutes - Matt McGinn-Anselmo-Merna H.S.

MATT McGINN- ANSELMO-MERNA HIGH SCHOOL

(Here is our 12th of twelve 2024 NEMFCA Hall of Fame inductees. Today we feature the great Matt McGinn from Anselmo-Merna, one of the true GREATS to ever play and coach the game of 8-Man football)

From 1993 to 1996, Matt patrolled the line of scrimmage with a dominating presence. One of the best interior linemen of his era, he put together an epic high school run for both himself and the Coyotes football program. During his senior season, Matt led his team all the way to Memorial Stadium and a Class D-1 State Runner-Up finish.

In the span of his career, he was chosen 1st Team All-Conference and 1st Team All-State on 3 separate occasions. He also put an exclamation point on his decorated prep career when he was selected to play in the 20th Annual Eight-Man All-Star Game.

After high school, Matt continued to proudly represent Nebraska Eight-Man football as a walk-on letter winner for the University of Nebraska- where he played a part on the 1997 National Championship Cornhusker team as well as the 1999 Big 12 Conference Championship team.

After graduation he returned home, where he continued his involvement with his alma mater’s football program from 2004 to 2021. As Head Coach in 2014, Matt led the Coyotes back to Memorial Stadium for another State Runner-Up finish. In 2017, he was selected as an assistant coach in the very All-Star Game that he competed in as a player back in 1997.

The NEMFCA is honored to welcome him into the Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

1000 Yard Guy observations…..Coach Matt McGinn’s selection to our NEMFCA Hall of Fame just made my year. What a “Small Town Boy'' success story this is, except for the fact that no human being that valued their health would ever have associated the word “boy” with Matt McGinn.

I just LOVE this man.

You would have to look far and wide.to find a better man than Coach Matt McGinn. An Anselmo-Merna Coyote through and through, our friend Coach McGinn played and coached the game the way it should be.

Coach Matt played the game tough and turned out tough players no matter how big or small they were.

If you played for Matt McGiin at Anselmo-Merna, you learned to play the game right, became a better man because of it and carried those valuable life lessons with you to this day.

I was also lucky enough to see Matt McGinn play twice during his illustrious Coyote career, and stand on his sidelines to watch him coach on numerous occasions.

Honestly, Matt McGinn is one of the reasons I love the game of 8-Man football so much. So, congratulations my friend and bask in the glory that is rightfully yours.