Jackson Matteo will serve as Woodberry Forest School’s next varsity football coach, Headmaster Byron Hulsey ’86 announced today.

Coach Matteo joined the Woodberry faculty in August 2021. He currently works as a learning specialist in the Academic Development Center and assistant coach for varsity track & field. In fall of 2021, Matteo coached the offensive line for the varsity football team. He is also the dorm head for the Walker Building, which houses Woodberry’s fourth-form (sophomore) class. 

“I feel very grateful to have earned this opportunity and have big shoes to fill,” Jackson said. “I’m fortunate that the vast majority of my coaching experience was under the guidance and mentorship of Bronco Mendenhall, whose programs exemplify an integrated model of academic, athletic, and personal development of young people. Woodberry already exemplifies an integrated model at the highest level, and I’m fiercely passionate about the opportunity to build on the foundation and culture that has been established here.” 

Jackson was selected after a search led by Dr. Hulsey and Athletic Director Matt Blundin. 

"I'm very excited that Jackson will lead our football program. In his short time here, Coach Matteo has shown that he is a hungry learner who knows our culture and cares deeply about the boys both on and off the field,” Dr. Hulsey said. “The wide range of his experiences have prepared him for this opportunity, and I'm eager to watch the next chapter of football take off under his leadership and stewardship."

Matteo is a two-time graduate of The University of Virginia, where he started 30 games at offensive line from 2012-2016, and served as team captain in 2016. He holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in higher education with a focus in athletic administration; he is currently a doctoral candidate at UVA’s School of Education and plans to defend his dissertation this spring. Jackson was previously a graduate assistant coach at UVA under Bronco Mendenhall, working with the defensive backs in 2017 and the offensive line in 2018 and 2019. During his tenure as graduate assistant coach, Matteo helped Virginia achieve three consecutive bowl berths, winning the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Coastal Division in 2019. 

"Jackson is a tremendous leader who has had a rich football experience," said Athletic Director Matt Blundin. "He has already demonstrated his ability as a transformative coach on our campus. He sustains an infectious energy and dedicates every interaction toward developing young men of character."

Jackson succeeds Scott Braswell, who was head coach for five seasons and announced last month that he plans to retire at the end of the current school year.