SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento State men's soccer associate head coach Matt McDougall has been named the interim head coach of the program, Director of Athletics Mark Orr announced on Friday. McDougall takes over for long-time head coach Michael Linenberger, who announced his retirement on July 15 after 38 years with the Hornets.

"Coach McDougall has been an integral part of our program for the last 20-plus seasons as both a student-athlete and a coach and I look forward to supporting him as he leads our student-athletes through the upcoming season," Orr said. "He is a Hornet through and through and I'm confident he knows what it takes to succeed at this level."

A mainstay on the Sacramento State sidelines as both a student-athlete (2002-05) and coach for more than two decades, McDougall is entering his 21st season on staff at his alma mater, remaining on campus following his four-year playing career and serving as an assistant coach from 2006-13. 

After spending his first three seasons as the program's goalkeeper's coach, McDougall was promoted to to the Hornets' top assistant in 2009 and was elevated to the position of Assistant Head Coach for the 2014 and 2015 seasons before being named Associate Head Coach in 2016.

"I am deeply honored and humbled to be entrusted with leading this program as the next head coach," McDougall said. "I want to express my sincere gratitude to Athletic Director Mark Orr for believing in me and providing me with this incredible opportunity. I am committed to honoring the foundation that has been built while continuing to move Sacramento State men's soccer forward with pride, passion, and purpose.

"After 21 incredible years of working alongside Coach Linenberger, it is difficult to put into words the gratitude and appreciation I feel. I would like to thank him for his leadership, his mentorship, and his unwavering commitment to Sacramento State men's soccer. I am incredibly fortunate to have spent just over two decades learning from one of the very best. The impact on my life and career is immeasurable, and I will always be grateful for his friendship."

McDougall added, "None of this would have been possible without the unwavering love and support of my wife and family, as they have been my greatest supporters. Their sacrifices, encouragement, and belief in me have made this journey possible and I share this moment with them as much as anyone."

During his time as a coach, McDougall has helped lead Sacramento State to a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation regular season title in 2009 and MPSF tournament crowns -- along with the ensuing NCAA Tournament berths — in 2009 and 2010. The Hornets posted wins over Loyola Marymount and Santa Clara to advance to the second round in both seasons.

All told, the Hornets have won 128 matches overall and 60 Big West Conference contests in his tenure.

Under his tutelage, Sacramento State has earned 65 all-conference awards on the field and have shined in the classroom, picking up a total of 101 conference all-academic team honors.

In 2010, McDougall's coaching helped rookie keeper Cesar Castillo earn Goal.com Freshman All-America honors after tallying 94 saves — the seventh-highest single-season total in school history. Castillo also tallied a single-season record eight shutouts and posted a 0.90 goals against average as a freshman, and was an All-Big West second team selection as a senior before signing with a professional team in Puerto Rico.

In addition, he helped mentor keeper James Del Curto, a two-time All-Big West second team choice who finished his four-year career with 241 saves (fourth on the all-time list) and 24 victories (second on the career chart), while posting the most starts and most minutes played between the pipes in the Hornet annals.

Another one of his protégés, Mac Learned, led the Big West Conference in total saves (88), saves per game (5.50), and save percentage (.779) in 2023, following that up a year later by leading the league once again with 81 more stops and 4.50 saves per match. Both years, Learned ranked among the top 20 in the NCAA in saves and saves per game — including ranking third in the nation in the former as a junior after leading the country for six straight weeks.

Learned went on to sign with NYCFC II in MLS NEXT Pro after finishing his career as a Hornet, eventually signing a first-team contract with the club with options that run through the 2028-29 season. He made his pro debut in March of 2025, making two saves in a clean sheet victory over Columbus Crew 2.

A stellar goalkeeper for the Hornets himself, McDougall continues to hold Sacramento State program records with 306 career saves and 5.10 saves per game, while ranking third all-time with 18 career wins and tied for fifth with 10 career shutouts. 

His 1.47 career goals against average ranks eighth in the school's Division I history (minimum 1,000 minutes played) and, in 2004, he spent every minute in goal for the Hornets (1,760 minutes). In 2005, he earned all-MPSF first-team honors after posting a career-best 1.15 goals against average and leading the Hornets to a 9-7-2 record. In his final two seasons in net for the Hornets, McDougall led the MPSF in saves.

In May of 2015, McDougall served as the fill-in goalkeepers coach for the Republic of Ireland women's national team in its friendly against the United States in San Jose, Calif., training with the team for two days before the game.

McDougall lives in Sacramento with his wife Missy, who is also a former Sacramento State women's soccer player, and their daughters Myla and Ava.