When making the decision which of his former assistants would be featured in bronze beside him on the Broyles Award trophy, Frank Broyles had some notable options. Barry Switzer, Joe Gibbs, Jimmy Johnson, Johnny Majors, Haden Fry, Raymond Berry and Jackie Sherrill were just a few of the 25 former Broyles’ assistants that later became head coaches.

But without hesitation, Broyles’ choice was Wilson Matthews. Matthews, Broyles’ first assistant coach hire at Arkansas, was a legend in Arkansas high school football leading the Central Tigers to 10 state titles in 11 years, a 111-14-3 record including a 33-game winning streak and fresh off the mythical national high school championship in 1957.

He remained in at Arkansas until 1968, helping the Hogs capture a National Championship in 1964 and make 8 bowl game appearances. Regarded by his high school and collegiate players as fierce-yet-loved and by Coach Broyles as his most loyal and trusted assistant, Matthews was the role model of the perfect assistant coach.

Today, the Broyles Award continues to celebrate the vital relationship between Head and Assistant Coaches, a lineage traced back over sixty years of excellence in coaching. It also celebrate Broyles’s legacy off the field by supporting the Broyles Foundation, which provides game plans for Alzheimer’s caregivers in crisis.