The University at Albany football program has made significant strides as newly appointed head coach Tom Perkovich announces the hiring of three coordinators for the upcoming 2026 season. Mike Wiand steps in as the offensive coordinator, Matthew Scott takes on the role of defensive coordinator, and Keith Larson is named the special teams coordinator.
In an official statement, Perkovich expressed enthusiasm for the new hires, saying, “We are incredibly excited to bring Mike, Matthew, and Keith into the Great Dane family. All three bring a wealth of experience, a proven track record of developing student-athletes, and a deep understanding of what it takes to consistently win in college football.” He emphasized that their leadership will be crucial as the program enters this new chapter.
Mike Wiand joins UAlbany following a successful tenure at Susquehanna University, where he most recently served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. His innovative strategies were instrumental in leading the River Hawks to four consecutive conference championships from 2022 to 2025. Wiand began his coaching career at Susquehanna in 2018 as a running backs coach, quickly advancing to offensive coordinator in 2024. Under his guidance, the team experienced remarkable success, culminating in multiple All-American and All-Conference selections, including Josh Ehrlich, a two-time Landmark Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
Matthew Scott brings over 15 years of coaching experience to the Great Danes. He most recently served as head coach at PennWest Edinboro, where he led the team to its first seven-win season since 2018 and secured a share of the PSAC West Division title, earning him the PSAC West Coach of the Year honors. Scott has deep ties to the Capital Region, having previously worked as the special teams coordinator and position coach for cornerbacks and outside linebackers at UAlbany from 2010 to 2014. During his earlier tenure, he contributed to the program’s two Northeast Conference Championships in 2011 and 2012 and an appearance in the FCS Playoffs.
Scott’s coaching prowess extended during his time at the University of New Haven from 2017 to 2024, where he led one of the most formidable defensive units in NCAA Division II. His efforts contributed to three Northeast-10 Conference Championships and five NCAA Playoff appearances. Scott is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and holds an MBA from the University of New Haven. Notably, he participated in the prestigious Bill Walsh Minority Fellowship with the Buffalo Bills in 2011.
Completing the coaching staff is Keith Larson, who returns to the Capital Region as the special teams coordinator. Larson has an impressive background in specialist development, having served as a special teams analyst at Texas A&M and Duke University in recent years. At Texas A&M, he was part of the coaching staff that guided the Aggies to their first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff during the 2024 season.
Larson is familiar with Northeast football, having previously held positions at Bucknell University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). At RPI, he was pivotal in leading the Engineers to two Liberty League titles and consecutive NCAA Division III playoff appearances, including a notable run to the quarterfinals in 2018. A former three-year letterwinner and special teams captain at Valparaiso University, Larson holds a master’s degree in Sports Administration from Robert Morris University.
With these strategic appointments, UAlbany looks poised for a transformative season ahead, as the new coordinators aim to enhance the program’s performance both on and off the field. The leadership and experience brought by Wiand, Scott, and Larson signal a promising future for Great Danes football.
