COACHING ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Matt Limegrover is in his fourth season as offensive line coach for the Nittany Lions and has 28 years of collegiate coaching experience.
- Limegrover’s offensive line paved the way for the Nittany Lions to post their highest rushing average (204.9) since 2008 (205.8) in 2018.
- Offensive linemen Ryan Bates and Connor McGovern both earned third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2018. McGovern went on to be the third-round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys in the 2019 NFL Draft.
- The offensive line helped quarterback Trace McSorley end his career with 11 career records, five season records and one game record.
- In 2017, Limegrover continued to develop an offensive line that helped the Nittany Lions to a second-straight New Year’s Six bowl game for the first time since 1985 (Orange) and 1986 (Fiesta).
- Tackle Ryan Bates earned All-Big Ten third team accolades as he blocked for All-American Saquon Barkley and All-Big Ten second team performer Trace McSorley.
- The Nittany Lion offense finished in the Top 25 in FBS in fumbles lost (3rd; 3), third down conversion percentage (5th; .480), scoring offense (7th; 41.1), completion percentage (10th; .657), turnover margin (11th; 0.92), team passing efficiency (14th; 153.59), total offense (19th; 460.3), red zone offense (21st; .898) and passing offense (23rd; 209.2).
- Limegrover’s offensive line battled injuries, but was the cornerstone for Penn State’s record-breaking offense and 2016 Big Ten Championship run.
- In 2016, the Nittany Lions broke the Penn State record for total offense (6,056) and passing yards (3,650) and tied the school record for points scored (526).
- Senior center Brian Gaia claimed All-Big Ten honorable mention laurels, while redshirt-freshman lineman Ryan Bates was named to the USA Today and FWAA Freshman All-America teams.
- Limegrover spent five seasons at Minnesota as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. He held the title of assistant head coach his last two seasons with the Gophers.
- During Limegrover’s tenure, the Golden Gopher offense had steady growth, increasing its scoring average by 10 points from 2011-14.
- He helped Minnesota to three consecutive bowls and eight wins in 2013 and 2014 after a 3-9 mark in 2011.
- In 2014, Minnesota had its first offensive lineman receive All-Big Ten first-team honors since 2005 when Zac Epping claimed the recognition.
- Limegrover spent 16 seasons working under former Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill, following him along four stops at Minnesota, Northern Illinois, Southern Illinois and Emporia State.
- Limegrover started his time with Kill as the offensive line coach at Emporia State for two seasons (1999-2000) and then served as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach under Kill at Southern Illinois (2001-07) and Northern Illinois (2008-10).
- During his tenure at Northern Illinois, Limegrover produced seven All-Mid-American Conference offensive linemen, including two first team selections in 2010.
- Limegrover helped Northern Illinois to three consecutive bowl berths and the 2010 MAC West title.
- The Husky line gave up only 15 sacks in 2009. NIU also led the MAC and ranked 19th nationally in rushing with 202.42 yards per game that year.
- At Southern Illinois, Limegrover helped the Salukis win three conference championships and guided an offense that ranked in the Top 10 in scoring in the NCAA for six consecutive seasons (2002-07).
- Limegrover also made coaching stops at Ferris State (1997-98) as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator, Northwestern (1995-96) as a graduate assistant and his alma mater, the University of Chicago (1991-94) serving in a variety of roles, spanning interim head coach, offensive coordinator, offensive line coach and tight ends coach.
- Limegrover was part of two Big Ten Championship teams while at Northwestern.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS A PLAYER
- Limegrover played offensive line at the University of Chicago from 1987-90.
- He was an honorable mention All-UAA lineman as a senior.
PROMINENT PLAYERS COACHED
- Connor McGovern (Penn State) - Dallas Cowboys; 2019 NFL Draft third-round pick
- Ryan Bates (Penn State) - Philadelphia Eagles
- Brendan Mahon (Penn State) - Carolina Panthers
- Tommy Olson (Minnesota) - 2014 All-Big Ten; Three-time Academic All-Big Ten
- Zac Epping (Minnesota) - Two-time All-Big Ten
- Maxx Williams (Minnesota) - Arizona Cardinals; 2015 NFL Draft second-round pick; Kwalick-Clark Big Ten Tight End of the Year; All-American
- Scott Wedige (Northern Illinois) - NFL (2012-13); All-American; Two-time All-MAC first team selection
- Jason Schepler (Northern Illinois) - NFL (2012-13); Academic All-American; All-MAC selection
- Braden Jones (Southern Illinois) - NFL (2007-08)
- Will Justice (Southern Illinois) - 2006 All-American; Two-time All-Gateway Conference selection
- Darren Marquez (Southern Illinois) - NFL (2008); CFL (2009); Gateway Conference All-Newcomer team
The Limegrover File
Personal
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Alma Mater: University of Chicago/Northwestern University
Degree: Bachelor’s, public policy studies; master's, liberal studies
Family: Wife, Ann; daughter, Emma, and son, TJ
Coaching Career
2018-present - Penn State (run game coordinator/offensive line)
2016-17 - Penn State (offensive line)
2011-15 - Minnesota (assistant head coach/offensive coordinator/offensive line, 2014-15; offensive coordinator/offensive line, 2011-13)
2008-10 - Northern Illinois (offensive coordinator/offensive line)
2001-07 - Southern Illinois (offensive coordinator/offensive line)
1999-2000 - Emporia State (offensive line)
1997-98 - Ferris State (run game coordinator/offensive line)
1995-96 - Northwestern (graduate assistant)
1991-94 - Chicago (interim head coach, 1994; offensive coordinator/offensive line, 1993; offensive line, 1992; tight ends, 1991)
Bowl/Playoff Games as a Coach
- 2019 VRBO Citrus Bowl - Penn State
- 2017 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl - Penn State
- 2017 Rose Bowl - Penn State
- 2015 Quick Lane Bowl - Minnesota*
- 2015 Citrus Bowl - Minnesota
- 2013 Texas Bowl - Minnesota
- 2012 Meineke Car Care Bowl - Minnesota
- 2010 Humanitarian Bowl - Northern Illinois*
- 2009 International Bowl - Northern Illinois
- 2008 Independence Bowl - Northern Illinois
- 2007 FCS First, Second, Semifinals - Southern Illinois
- 2006 First, Second Rounds - Southern Illinois
- 2005 First, Second Rounds - Southern Illinois
- 1997 Citrus Bowl - Northwestern
- 1996 Rose Bowl - Northwestern