Duane Matye

Induction Year: 2010

Inducted as a recipient of the Mertz Mortorelli Coaching Achievement Award

Duane Matye was a four-year starter and letterwinner as a Yellowjacket football player, graduating from UW-Superior in 1957. Later, Mr. Matye would coach high school football in Wisconsin for 32 years, including 30 at Osseo-Fairchild High School. A 1995 inductee into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Hall of Fame, Mr. Matye is a 2010 recipient of the Mertz Mortorelli Coaching Achievement Award. 

Mr. Matye was football coach at Minong High School for two years, followed by a two-year stint as an assistant coach at Oconto Falls High School, before embarking on a legendary career at Osseo-Fairchild. Mr. Matye took over a program that had gone winless the previous season and had previously won only one conference championship. Under his leadership, OFHS became a small-school football powerhouse, winning three state championships (1977, 1981 and 1982) and twice being runners-up (1983 and 1984).

Upon his retirement from coaching, no school had more state championship appearances. Nine times Mr. Matye's teams won conference championships. All told, Mr. Matye had a career record of 197-103-3 as a head high school football coach, including 14-4 record in playoff competition. 

Mr. Matye was chosen to be an assistant coach in the 1982 Shrine All-Star Game. He would man the sidelines again for the game in 1986, but this time served as the head coach. 

In addition to football, Mr. Matye was also a distinguished track and field coach. He coached 13 conference championship teams, including a stretch of 11 in a row. His teams won five regional track championships and two sectional titles. Mr. Matye also coached two state champions, one individual the two-mile and a team in the 1600-meter relay. 

Mr. Matye's wife, Arlene, is also an alumna of UW-Superior.