Matthew Hayes - Senior Director of Football Administration - Staff Directory

Staff Directory

Matthew Hayes

Title:
Senior Director of Football Administration

Matthew Hayes enters his first year as the Senior Director of Football Administration at the University of Washington, where he oversees the Huskies’ football operations, program strategy, and long-term planning. Appointed in February 2025, Hayes leads initiatives that span financial planning, roster and compensation management, contract execution, and alignment with institutional priorities. Working in close partnership with Head Coach Jedd Fisch, Athletic Director Patrick Chun, and senior leadership, he ensures the program operates efficiently, with integrity, and maintains a sustained competitive edge.

Before joining Washington, Hayes played a central role in launching Arizona Sports Enterprises, the University of Arizona Athletics’ entity for naming rights and commercial asset development - directing its creation from the ground up, including governance, partnerships, and operational infrastructure.

As the sport administrator for football, in partnership with Head Coach Jedd Fisch, Hayes helped guide Arizona to one of its best seasons in school history – a 10-win campaign capped by an Alamo Bowl victory over Oklahoma and a No. 11 national ranking. He was appointed by University President Dr. Robert C. Robbins to the University Strategic Planning and Budget Advisory Committee and the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Advisory Team.

Additionally, Hayes served as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Associate Athletics Director of Internal Operations at Arizona, managing a $128 million budget that supported 22 sports, 510 student-athletes, and over 700 staff and contractors. In these roles, he transformed a $40 million annual deficit into a projected $8 million surplus. He also oversaw capital planning, long-range forecasting, and modernization efforts department-wide.

From 2021 to 2022, Hayes served as Associate Athletic Director for Football Administration and later Football Chief of Staff at Arizona, as Head Coach Jedd Fisch’s strategic advisor; he oversaw program culture, recruiting alignment, and operational execution. Under his leadership, Arizona saw record gains in fundraising, fan engagement, and academic performance, all while enhancing NIL, leadership, and community programs.. Hayes was also instrumental in assembling the Wildcats’ 2022 recruiting class — considered one of the best in school history — which featured the program’s first five-star signee, Tetairoa McMillan, and laid the foundation for the team’s turnaround from 1–11 to a 10-win bowl season.

Hayes’ career also includes roles in professional football. In 2019, he served as Director of Football Operations and Assistant Offensive Coach for the XFL’s Seattle Dragons, working directly with quarterbacks. He also spent three training camps with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, assisting the linebackers unit under Head Coach Doug Pederson, Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz, and Linebackers Coach Ken Flajole. He also participated as an assistant position coach and quality control coach with Jim Zorn in the 2015 East-West Shrine Bowl and the 2017 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

He began his coaching career at Bellevue High School (WA) from 2008–2012, where the team went 66–3, won five straight state titles, and was named National Champion by Sports Illustrated in 2012. Hayes coached future NFL stars, including Myles Jack and Budda Baker.

A Massachusetts native, Hayes earned his Bachelor’s in Accounting and Finance from Bridgewater State University, where he was a three-sport letter winner, and his MBA from the University of Washington. He lives in Seattle with his wife, Erika, and their two sons, Weston and Beckett.