Former Yellowjacket Wins Football National Title (12/16/05)

BILLINGS, MT – Matt Pawlowski, a former football player for the Yellowjackets, earned an NCAA championship ring last week as the defensive coordinator for Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI.  Pawlowski was an offensive lineman from 1973 to 1976 for what was then Eastern Montana College. 

In his second year as the Lakers’ defensive coordinator, Pawlowski helped guide GVSU to the NCAA Division II national title with a 21-17 win over Northwest Missouri State last Saturday.  The game was televised nationally on ESPN.  Grand Valley State has won three of the last four NCAA II national championships.

While at Eastern Montana College, Pawlowski played offensive guard and center.  The Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, native anchored the line in 1976 when the Yellowjackets averaged 275 rushing yards per game.  Running behind Pawlowski and his fellow linemen, Derrick Williams rushed for 2,217 yards in two seasons in 1975 and 1976.  Williams ran for an NAIA-record 409 yards against Montana Tech in 1976.  That national record still stands after nearly three decades.

Pawlowski arrived at Grand Valley State after spending one year as the defensive coordinator at Ashland University.  Prior to Ashland, Pawlowski was the defensive coordinator at Marietta College, the offensive line and defensive line coach at Stow (Ohio) High School, and the linebacker coach at Eastern Michigan.

Pawlowski also built a nationally-ranked defense from 1985 to 1999 at St. Cloud State University.  The Huskies led the North Central Conference in total defense five times and ranked second once from 1987-92.  Six times during his tenure St. Cloud State ranked among the nation's top 10 in defense.

Pawlowski has coached on the defensive side of the ball for most of his career, but he's been involved in just about every aspect of coaching.  He spent five years at Ohio University working with linebackers and defensive backs, one year at Montana State University in Bozeman, and one year at Eastern Montana College after graduating.