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Matt Sheldon is the linebackers coach for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. A native of Schofield, Wisconsin, Sheldon played collegiately at the University of Minnesota. He has 11 years of NFL coaching experience including stints with the St. Louis Rams, Buffalo Bills, and the Minnesota Vikings.

== Coaching Career ==

Montreal Alouettes
Prior to the 2012 season, Marc Trestman hired Sheldon to coach Montreal's linebackers. In his first year, Sheldon helped guide the Alouettes to a first place finish in the CFL’s East Division and an appearance in the East Division Finals. Sheldon’s impact was immediate, as MLB Shea Emry posted career highs in tackles (87) and sacks (7) and recorded his first career touchdown on a 46 yard interception return. For his efforts, Emry was named a CFL All-Star, and a finalist for CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player and Most Outstanding Canadian Player. Sheldon also guided free agent OLB Rod Davis who successfully transitioned to the Alouettes’ 3-4 defensive scheme and responded with 5 sacks and 3 interceptions.

Minnesota Vikings
2011 season

Main article: 2011 Minnesota Vikings season

As the Vikings' assistant defensive backs coach in 2011, Sheldon directed the emergence of third-year pro Jamarca Sanford, a 2009 7th round draft pick, who made 15 starts at strong safety after entering the year with just 3 career starts. Sanford snared two interceptions in the Vikings’ first win of 2011 against Arizona, tied for the second most by a safety in an NFL game in 2011. Sanford’s 52-yard interception return in the game was the longest by a Viking during 2011. For the season, Sanford posted 118 tackles, 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble. Coming off of a productive 2010 campaign, Husain Abdullah entered the 2011 season as the starting free safety and continued to shine before a suffering a season-ending injury in week 9. Abdullah started the season with 41 tackles in the first 4 games, including 16 in the opener at San Diego and 12 at Kansas City in Week 4. His Week 1 total tied for the second most tackles in a game by a defensive back in Vikings’ history. For the season, he contributed 62 tackles, 1 interception, 1 sack, 4 tackles-for-loss and 7 passes defended in only 9 games played, averaging nearly 7 stops per game. Following Abdullah’s injury, Sheldon readied rookie 6th round pick Mistral Raymond who started the final 5 games of the season at free safety. Upon assuming the starting role, Raymond showed steady improvement and posted his best performance of the season in a week 16 win against Washington in which he posted 6 tackles, 2 passes defensed and 1 interception returned for 31 yards.

2010 season

Main article: 2010 Minnesota Vikings season

In his first season in Minnesota, Sheldon guided the development of Abdullah, a former rookie free agent. As a third-year pro, Abdullah was a first-time defensive starter who racked-up a secondary-leading 105 tackles with 3 tackles-for-loss. He showcased his big-play ability with 3 interceptions and 8 passes defended. As a team, the Vikings ranked #8 in total defense and #10 against the pass in 2010. The defensive backfield limited big plays allowing just 49 plays of 20 or more yards to rank 4th best in the NFL.

Buffalo Bills
2009 season

Main article: 2009 Buffalo Bills season

The 2009 season was a test of versatility for the Bills’ corps of linebackers as an injury to MLB Paul Posluszny in the opening game forced a juggling of personnel. Fellow starters Kawika Mitchell and Keith Ellison were lost to season-ending injuries in the fifth week and eighth week, respectively. In total, 9 different starters contributed during the 2009 season. Despite playing in only 12 games, Posluszny outpaced his 2008 production when he played in all 16 games. Posluszny led the team with 116 tackles and 6 tackles-for-loss. He showcased his big play potential with 3 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, 1 sack and 12 quarterback pressures. Bryan Scott, a converted strong safety, contributed 54 tackles, 2 sacks and 3 quarterback pressures over a 6-game stint and rookie Nic Harris produced 25 tackles in a three game span. As a unit, the Bills’ linebackers were instrumental to the Buffalo defense ranking second in the NFL in pass defense and second in the NFL with 28 interceptions.

2008 season

Main article: 2008 Buffalo Bills season

In 2008, Posluszny started all 16 games for the first time in his career and posted a team-high 129 tackles, 1 interception, 7 passes defended and a fumble recovery. In his first season in Buffalo, Mitchell made an immediate impact with 91 tackles, 2 interceptions, 4 sacks and 15 quarterback pressures.

2007 season

Main article: 2007 Buffalo Bills season

In 2007, while working with one of the NFL’s youngest linebacking groups, Sheldon inspired standout play from the unit. Second-year middle linebacker John DiGiorgio started the final 13 games and produced 137 tackles to rank second on the team. A first-time starter, DiGiorgio also contributed an interception and 2 sacks. As a rookie, Posluszny totaled 26 tackles before breaking his forearm in Week 3 ended his season. SLB Angelo Crowell saw an increase in his production in 2007 as he posted a career-high and team-leading 140 tackles and ranked fourth in the AFC in the category. Crowell also posted the most tackles for an OLB in the AFC and made a number of game-changing plays including a safety, sack, interception, forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

2006 season

Main article: 2006 Buffalo Bills season

Sheldon made an immediate impact on the Bills’ linebackers in his first season with the team in 2006. Veteran MLB London Fletcher posted the top statistical year of his career, leading the team with 157 tackles, 4 interceptions while scoring 2 defensive touchdowns. Fletcher’s 4 interceptions and 11 passes defended led all NFL linebackers. Crowell also continued to grow into a play-making force as he posted 95 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 sacks and a forced fumble while appearing in only 11 games.

St. Louis Rams
Sheldon served in an assistant coach role with the St. Louis Rams from 2001 to 2005. During his five years in St. Louis, the Rams featured an explosive offense directed by Head Coach Mike Martz known as the Greatest Show on Turf. In 2001, the Rams won the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles before losing in Super Bowl XXXVI to the New England Patriots. Sheldon’s duties with the Rams were varied as he assisted special teams, defensive backs, linebackers, as well as special projects.

Early Career
From 1997-1999, Sheldon served as a defensive graduate assistant coach under Head Coach Barry Alvarez at the University of Wisconsin. With the Wisconsin Badgers, Sheldon assisted with the defensive secondary. Wisconsin’s defense led the nation in 1998 and the Badgers were the first team in Big 10 history to win Rose Bowls in consecutive seasons (1998-99). Sheldon first broke into the NFL as an assistant in the video department for the New Orleans Saints in 1996.

== Postseason Participation ==

2012: CFL East Division Finals

2004: NFC Divisional Playoffs

2003: NFC Divisional Playoffs

2001: Super Bowl XXXVI

2000 Rose Bowl

1999 Rose Bowl

1998 Outback Bowl

== Coaching Tree ==

2012-Present: Montreal Alouettes: Linebackers

Head Coach: Marc Trestman

Assistants: Jeff Reinebold, Mike Sinclair

2010-11: Minnesota Vikings: Defensive Backs: Safeties

Head Coaches: Brad Childress, Leslie Frazier

Assistants: Leslie Frazier, Fred Pagac, Mike Singletary, Karl Dunbar, Joe Woods

2006-2009: Buffalo Bills: Linebackers

Head Coaches: Dick Jauron, Perry Fewell

Assistants: Perry Fewell, Bill Kollar, George Catavolos, Bob Sanders

2001-2005: St. Louis Rams: Quality Control: Assistant DB; Assistant LB; Assistant Special Teams

Head Coaches: Mike Martz, Joe Vitt

Assistants: Lovie Smith, Larry Marmie, Joe Vitt, Ron Meeks, Perry Fewell, Bill Kollar, Kurt Schottenheimer, Bob Babich

1997-1999: University of Wisconsin: Graduate Assistant: Defensive Backs

Head Coach: Barry Alvarez

Assistants: Kevin Cosgrove, John Palermo, Phil Elmassian, Jay Hayes, Joe Baker

== Personal ==

As a player, Sheldon played defensive back for the University of Minnesota. A native of Schofield, Wisconsin, Sheldon and his wife, Kari, have a son, Theodor, and a daughter, Lillian.