Matthew Sauk

Sauk, A six year coaching veteran brings his track record of success to the LA KISS. Prior to his appointment with the KISS, Sauk was named the inaugural coach of the Portland Thunder on October 8, 2013, and lead the expansion team with 21 rookies to the playoffs. The Thunder would end up losing a close game 52-48 to the 2014 Arena Bowl Champions, Arizona Rattlers.

Sauk got his start as a quarterbacks and receivers coach with the af2’s Spokane Shock in 2008. When the team moved to the AFL in 2010, Sauk was named offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. In his first season calling the plays for the Shock, the team went 13-3 and won ArenaBowl XXIII.

Following his success in Spokane, the Utah Blaze tasked Sauk to take over the team’s offense. His offensive units in Utah shattered League records for passing yards, touchdowns and first downs in back-to-back seasons, earning Sauk NFL Network Assistant Coach of the Year honors in 2011 and 2012. Over the course of his coaching career, Sauk has mentored several quarterbacks including Nick Davila, Tommy Grady and Erik Meyer, all of whom went on to win League MVP honors.

Prior to coaching, Sauk spent his playing career between the af2 and AFL. He saw time with the AFL’s Nashville Kats, Los Angeles Avengers, Philadelphia Soul, Grand Rapids Rampage and Arizona Rattlers, but really left his mark as a player in af2. In his first season with the Tennessee Valley Vipers in 2001, he received Rookie of the Year honors after setting multiple team and League records. In 2005, he was named the af2 Offensive Player of the Year after leading the Louisville Fire to a berth in ArenaCup VI.

He was inducted into the af2 Hall of Fame in 2009 after an eight-year playing career that saw him pass for more than 17,000 yards and 345 touchdowns.

BACKGROUND: QB, Woodbridge High School (Irvine, CA) (1991-1994); QB, Orange Coast College (1994-96); Utah State (1996-97). QB, Nashville Kats (2000); Tennessee Valley Vipers (2001, 2003); Los Angeles Avengers (2002); Louisville Fire (2004-05); Philadelphia Soul (2006); Grand Rapids Rampage (2007); Arizona Rattlers (2008). Quarterbacks/Receivers Coach, Spokane Shock (2008-09). Offensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach, Spokane Shock (2009-10); Utah Blaze (2011-13). Head Coach, Portland Thunder (2014); Director of Player Personnel/Offensive Coordinator, LA Kiss (2014-Present)

Sauk and his wife, Michele, have three children, Aysha