Matt Furlong, the defensive coordinator for Cary-Grove High School as it won Illinois 6A state championships in 2018, 2021 and 2023, has agreed to become the next head coach for Geneseo High School’s varsity football team.
In addition to leading the Green Machine, Furlong will teach in history and driver education at GHS. Geneseo’s Board of Education formally approved hiring Furlong at its January 11 meeting.
For the 42-year-old Furlong, it’s a homecoming of sorts as he attended Davenport Assumption and received his bachelor’s degree from Augustana College. In addition, his wife, Monica, is from Macomb.
“All of our family is living in the area, so we’ve had a desire to move back,” says Furlong. “When the Geneseo role opened up, between the football program, the community, and the schools, it just made sense from both a family and professional perspective.”
As a product of the Quad Cities who played football and baseball in high school and college, Furlong is well aware of Geneseo’s storied football past. His father, John, was an assistant football coach on Bob Reade’s staff alongside Larry Johnsen Sr. Between Furlong's background and familiarity, it didn’t take long for him to feel right at home during the interview process.
“Everyone was so welcoming,” explains Furlong, who possesses a pair of master’s degrees from Concordia University in teaching and learning, and educational leadership. “Family and community were both emphasized. It was clear that Geneseo is more than just a football program or school, it’s about a feeling of belonging and having that togetherness. Those values aligned with my own, so it was a big draw for me.”
Furlong brings with him a wealth of experience from working within one of the state’s top football programs. He arrived at Cary-Grove in 2005 and began working with the sophomore team, including the role of head coach from 2011 to 2017. He was promoted to the varsity level in 2018 when he became defensive coordinator.
During his time at Cary-Grove, the team won state championships in 2009, 2018, 2021 and 2023. It finished as the runner-up in 2012 and 2014 while claiming 11 conference titles.
“Matt is an outstanding coach and teacher who has been integral to the success of our program for the last 20 years,” says Cary-Grove head coach Brad Seaburg. “He is innovative, creative, and relentless in his preparation from week to week. No one prepares more than Coach Furlong and our defenses showed just that.
“In Matt's time as defensive coordinator, we played against a wide range of offenses, and our teams were always prepared,” Seaburg continues. “Our kids were always in positions to have success and more times than not, we did. Matt and I coached together at the sophomore level and the varsity level for almost 20 years. He is a great friend and coach and will be sorely missed. We wish Matt and Geneseo High School all the best.”
Furlong says he’s extremely grateful for his experiences at Cary-Grove and how his roles there helped him develop into the coach and person that he is today.
“I learned a lot about not only what it takes to build a program, but to continue to evolve and grow, and not become complacent or stagnant,” says Furlong. “I’ll never forget my time in Cary-Grove and without a doubt, the hardest part of this process was the reality that I’ll be leaving.”
As Furlong looks back on Cary-Grove’s successes, he’ll bring with him the valuable knowledge and insights that come with being part of a program that’s won at a sustained, elite level.
“The coaches are committed to doing things the right way on the field in terms of the Xs and Os, but also in the offseason with building the culture and teaching that to the younger kids,” Furlong explains. “There is a willingness to put in the time and evolve and change and be willing to try new things. Those are the things that allowed us to maintain that level of success over time.”
Furlong will soon be focusing his efforts on another football program with an abundance of history and tradition. While he can’t wait to begin integrating his experience, approach and philosophies into the Green Machine, he first wants to listen and learn.
“I’ll certainly be bringing things that I want to be part of the program, but especially in the beginning, it will be a matter of taking time to better understand Geneseo’s traditions and history, then figure out how to weave everything together and move forward,” Furlong states.
Furlong says that he envisions running a program that evolves while continuing to maintain the Green Machine’s identity and honoring the past.
“We will play a disciplined, physical brand of football and we’ll work some modern aspects into how we operate, both on and off the field,” explains Furlong. “Part of this is not only teaching the game of football, but teaching lessons that will help our players throughout their lives–that includes leadership and character development skills.”
It’s an approach and a style that Furlong says was heavily influenced by his parents, John and Shelly. Prior to joining Augustana’s staff, John coached baseball at Davenport Assumption and served as St. Ambrose’s head football coach.
“My father and mother have made a big impact on my life in terms of the values and beliefs that I’ve developed,” said Furlong. “When I think back to the days I spent out on the field with my father, it was so much more than him coaching and showing me different aspects of the game. There were life lessons about working hard, putting in the time, and that the details matter. He taught me about the game of football, but more importantly, life in general.”
Furlong is quick to credit three Cary-Grove individuals as well: Bruce Kay, the head football coach when Furlong arrived; Brad Seaburg, the current head coach; and Don Sutherland, the team’s former defensive coordinator.
“They were my three biggest influences as far as my coaching development,” notes Furlong. “Don, more than anyone, took me under his wing right from the get go. Coaching with him gave me an opportunity to learn how he lived his life and see his values and beliefs, as well as how he worked with the kids. As a young person getting into a profession, he was a huge influence on me.”
Furlong knows he’s leaving an incredible situation behind at Cary-Grove, but along with his wife Monica, stepdaughter Makenzy, and son Bryant, he couldn’t be more excited about the tremendous opportunity ahead in Geneseo.
“We’re walking into a situation where there is already a great foundation on so many levels,” acknowledges Furlong. “My challenge is to continue honoring the traditions while building on what’s been created, from the football program, to the school, to the community. We’re looking forward to being in a family-oriented place that really values its community.”
Read more: Geneseo AD Nichols: Furlong gets the most out of his players
Matt Furlong, the new head coach of the Green Machine, was joined by his son Bryant at Geneseo High School on Saturday as he addressed his players, sat down with coaches, and met the media. pic.twitter.com/MeYSyXWOOC
— Geneseo Schools (@geneseodist228) January 20, 2024
