Former FIU football player Matt Garris begins his third season as a defensive graduate assistant coach for the Panthers in 2014.
Garris returned to the FIU sidelines in 2012, after starring for the team at linebacker from 2006-08. In addition to playing defense, Garris was a valued special teams player.
In 2012, Garris assisted in the defensive secondary, working with both the safeties and cornerbacks. Among the defensive backs he assisted were Johnathan Cyprien, Jose Cheeseborough and Junior Mertile. Cyprien was a second-round draft pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars, while Cheeseborough and Mertile each signed free agent contracts with the Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants, respectively.
He also was responsible for opponent film breakdown, cut-ups, reports, scripting and compiling weekly scouting reports for defense and special teams. Garris also worked in running offensive and special teams scout squads.
Garris was a star high school player coming out of St. Augustine in 2005, where he was team captain for the 15-0 Class 3A state champion Yellow Jackets. An All-First Coast and All-St. John's County player, Garris also received all-state honors during his senior season.
Prior to coming back to FIU, Garris was a student assistant coach with the Panthers in 2009. He was employed by Broward County Public Schools in 2010-2011 at West Broward High School. In addition to teaching at West Broward, Garris also served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, track and field head coach, and girls flag football head coach. With West Broward, Garris was able to coach linebackers for the South Team in the 2011 Broward County Athletics Association (BCAA) All-Star Game.
Garris earned his B.A. in Business Administration from FIU in 2010.
