When it comes to the behind the scenes work for the UNI football team you can bet that Matt Harken had a hand in making it happen.

Harken, a native of Shell Rock, Iowa, is in his second season as director of football operations for the Panthers after stepping away from coaching in 2006-07. Harken served as a physical education/driver's education teacher at Urbana (Ill.) High School in 2006-07.

Harken was the Panthers' Director of Football Operations in the 2005 season as UNI reached the national championship game.

Prior to his work at UNI, Harken served in various football coaching capacities at Waverly-Shell Rock High School, including strength and conditioning coordinator (Aug. '96-July '05), head sophomore coach (Aug. '96-Aug. '00), tight ends/wide receivers coach (Aug. '00-Aug. '02) and offensive coordinator (Aug. '02-July '05).

Harken earned his bachelor's of arts degree in physical education at UNI in 1996 after a four-year career for the Panthers on the football field. Harken was a first-team all-Gateway Football Conference player in 1993 and 1994. He also earned honorable mention all-Gateway in 1995, while serving as co-captain for the Panthers.

He and his wife, Stephanie, have three children, Alex (11), Katie (9) and Madison (6). The family resides in Waverly.