MCC Coach, Cal Matthew, honored by Wisconsin Football Coaches Association

As part of the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association’s (WFCA) 2026 Hall of Fame induction and awards ceremony, Rufus King’s Cal Matthew was recognized for his contribution to football within the city of Milwaukee. He is the First Black High School Coach to be inducted into Hall of Fame. The 47th enshrinement into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame took place in Madison at the Marriott West on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

Cal Matthew, no stranger to winning seasons and elite accolades, is one of 12 coaches to be inducted into the Class of 2026 WFCA Hall of Fame. Matthew got his start coaching in the Milwaukee City Conference in 1988, when he joined the Washington football staff as an assistant. He later transitioned into a head coaching role at South Division from 1996-2011 before wrapping up his exceptional career on the gridiron as a Rufus King assistant from 2012-24.

“I don’t know if I can ever explain how blessed I am to have had the opportunity to coach. Seeing the growth and maturity in athletes was a great experience,” said Matthew. “Knowing that you had a positive impact on a kid’s life is an awesome experience. If I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t change anything. I loved every minute of it!”

During his 36-year career, Matthew made MCC history on more than one occasion. In 1989, he was part of the staff that helped Washington win their first-ever WIAA playoff game, and in 2003, he led South Division to their first WIAA playoff appearance. Matthew was the WFCA’s Region 7 Coach of the Year in 2007 and, only a year later, he won his second consecutive conference title with the Cardinals.

While Matthew’s 2026 Hall of Fame induction recognizes his considerable contributions to football in Wisconsin, he is also an award-winning track and field coach. Matthew held various head and assistant coaching positions in the MCC, including successful stints at Washington (1988-95) and Rufus King (2011-25). Throughout his time, he coached multiple conference and state individual champions and led the Generals to consecutive WIAA state titles in 2016 and 2017.

In addition to Matthew’s induction, the WFCA also recognized Reagan’s Greg Roman with the Marge and Dick Rundle Positive Influence in Coaching Award.