Editor Note: This piece has been edited to correctly reflect the position of the COD football player quoted in the article.

Before he became the head coach who turned College of DuPage (COD) into a junior college force, Matthew Rahn was an overlooked local kid chasing a dream few others believed in. Now, after years of playing professionally, mentoring athletes in Brazil and climbing the coaching ladder at COD, Rahn is the face of a program built on opportunity, accountability and love.

When Rahn first walked onto the COD campus ahead of the 2000–2001 season, he wasn’t a star recruit. In fact, heading into his senior year of high school, a late growth spurt left him “tall, skinny and unable to walk and chew gum at the same time,” he said. Division III programs showed no interest. It was his high school coach, Matt Foster—who would later become COD’s head coach—who encouraged him to walk on. 

“COD gave me a chance, and I’ll never forget it,” Rahn said. “Football changed my life and this place opened the first door for me.”

Rahn wasn’t an automatic starter for the Chaparral. Competition was fierce, and earning playing time meant proving himself every day in practice. He approached each session with focus and determination, knowing that only consistent effort would move him up the depth charts.

“We had 15 other defensive tackles on the roster,” he said, but his work ethic pushed him up the depth chart. “I just showed up every day, kept working…by the first game of the season, I was second string.” 

That first game of the season was where everything changed. After weeks of hard work and long practices, Rahn finally got a moment on the field. It was the first time that all his effort might actually pay off in a meaningful way.

“The defensive line coach turned around and said, ‘Hey, get in,’” Rahn recalled. “It boosted my confidence. Like maybe I’m going to get a real shot here.” 

After he finished his two years at COD, he received a scholarship offer from Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska where he completed his collegiate playing career. The moment stunned him. He felt a mix of excitement and disbelief, realizing that his dedication had opened doors he never expected.

“I never imagined that I’d have somebody paying for my school,” he said, “COD prepared me to leave home, go to a different community, a different culture and be successful. My success here came from hard work.”

His path didn’t follow the traditional NFL dream, but instead took him through more than ten seasons of arena football and a coaching stint in Brazil. Rahn embraced every opportunity the game offered, whether it was competing in smaller leagues or sharing his knowledge abroad. Without the pressure of chasing an NFL roster spot, he could focus on growth, experience, and the pure love of football.

“I love playing football,” he said. “Not having that NFL expectation allowed me to enjoy it holistically.” He was an Ambassador to American Football in Brazil during his off-seasons from arena league play in 2010-2012. During his time abroad, Rahn found himself not only teaching the fundamentals of the sport but also learning from the communities he worked with. The experience broadened his perspective on how athletics can unite people across cultures and it deepened his appreciation for the global impact of sport. He said those years helped shape the way he communicates with players today, reminding him that connection and understanding often matter more than playbooks or schemes.

“Being in Brazil made me appreciate other sports more,” Rahn said. “Soccer especially. It gave me an appreciation for how sports change lives.” 

When his playing journey ended, he returned to COD to coach under Foster, unsure of what his next chapter would hold. Coaching soon revealed his true path, giving him purpose as he worked his way up from defensive line coach to head coach. Taking over the program brought everything full circle. 

“It was important for me to keep this program what it was for me—a stepping stone to bigger and better things,” he said.

As he rose through the staff, Rahn coached nearly every position group during his time at COD—an experience he says directly shaped the way he leads the program. Learning the ins and outs of each role gave him a broader perspective on how a team functions as a whole. It also taught him the importance of communication and collaboration across all units.

“It makes me a more well-rounded coach… able to look out for the other side of the ball and keep everyone working together,” he said. 

He also emphasizes accountability.

 “You have to have a standard, and everyone must be held accountable,” Rahn said. “Whether it’s your worst player or your best.”

That philosophy extends to sustaining COD’s national success. Rahn points to one key factor. 

“The people. The kids and my assistant coaches.” He believes he has the best staff in junior college football, not focused on stacking wins but on putting players in positions to succeed. 

“We’re looking for the underrecruited guys,” Rahn said. “People with a chip on their shoulder.”

Rahn couples athletic development with personal and academic growth. He believes that helping players succeed off the field is just as important as their performance on it. By focusing on the whole individual, he creates an environment where each player can reach their full potential.

“Coach Rahn sets the standard—he’s never late, always prepared, and he holds us accountable the same way,” COD tight end Luke Bonnema said. “I came in as a kid and I’m leaving a man. He pushes us, supports us and genuinely cares. A lot of us wouldn’t be where we are without him.”

“Everyone has different struggles…it’s about having the development piece that helps the collective,” Rahn said. Academic and athletic standards apply evenly across the teams, ensuring fairness and discipline. Relationship-building is also essential. He believes trust is earned through consistency, and that athletes respond best when they know their coaches are invested in them as people, not just performers.

“Every kid needs to connect with somebody…as coaches, we have to identify struggles before players admit them,” he said, reinforcing the holistic approach that helped COD thrive both on and off the field. 

That commitment carries over into how he views his own impact. Rahn says he doesn’t think much about legacy, but he hopes one thing stands out. For Rahn, legacy isn’t about statistics or championships; it’s about whether his players felt supported, challenged and genuinely cared for—something he’s tried to embody every day.

“I always fought for them. I always had their back and I loved them,” he said. He believes love comes in many forms, including tough love. Rahn explained that guiding players through difficult choices is part of the job. Watching those players transform is what gives him the most pride. To him, success isn’t measured only in wins or trophies, but in seeing his players become steady, responsible men who carry lessons they learned at COD into the rest of their lives.

“We’ve had kids make hard decisions and completely change their lives. That’s what this place is about,” he said, reflecting on the impact of COD beyond the football field.