University of Tennessee Southern Women's Cheerleading

Keye Matthews enters his sixth season as Head Cheer Coach at the University of Tennessee Southern in 2025–26, having joined the Firehawk staff in January 2020. Since taking over the program, Matthews has guided UT Southern Cheer to consistent growth and national prominence. Under his leadership, the Firehawks have captured conference titles, earned multiple national podium finishes, and produced numerous All-Conference, All-American, and individual award winners. Most recently, in the 2024–25 season, UT Southern placed second at both the SSAC Conference Championship and the NCA National Championship in Daytona. The program celebrated five SSAC All-Conference selections, four NAIA All-Americans, and saw Nakiya Mostella honored as SSAC Athlete of the Year. In 2023–24, Matthews led the Firehawks to an SSAC Championship while being named SSAC Coach of the Year. That same season, UT Southern secured a runner-up finish at the NCA National Championship and placed five athletes on the SSAC All-Conference Team. The 2022–23 campaign marked another milestone, with UT Southern finishing second at the Mid-South Conference Championship and eighth nationally at the NAIA Championship. The team produced six Mid-South All-Conference athletes, three NAIA All-Americans, the Mid-South Freshman of the Year, and Matthews was recognized as Mid-South Coach of the Year. During his early seasons, Matthews laid the foundation for the program’s success. In 2021–22, he brought in a large and talented recruiting class that propelled the Firehawks to a second-place finish at the Mid-South Conference Championship. In his debut season of 2020–21, he took over midyear and guided a roster of just 12 athletes, setting the stage for the program’s rapid rise. A native of Columbia, Tennessee, Matthews was a standout student-athlete at Martin Methodist College (now UT Southern) from 2014–2019. He helped lead the program to the 2016 NAIA National Championship and the 2018 SSAC Conference Championship. Individually, he was a four-time NAIA All-American, two-time All-Conference honoree, and a member of the Martin Methodist Athletic All-Sesquicentennial Team. Matthews holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Management, which he earned from Martin Methodist College.

Michael Williams was named the Head Clay Target Coach at the University of Tennessee Southern in 2025, bringing over a decade of experience developing student-athletes in competitive shooting sports. Before joining UT Southern, Williams spent 11 years (2011–2022) coaching with the Marshall County Hawkeyes in the Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program (TNSCTP). During his tenure, he worked with athletes at every level, from elementary school through high school, and helped guide the program to numerous local, regional, and statewide awards. Williams coached all three major disciplines in competitive shooting — American Trap, American Skeet, and Sporting Clays — helping athletes refine their skills across each. While his teams found success in all three, Williams developed a particular passion for sporting clays, noting its unique challenges in course layouts, target variety, and shot presentations. Williams holds several notable certifications, including NRA Shotgun Level 1 credentials, Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) coaching certification, and the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) Double-Goal Coach certification, which focuses on developing athletes both on the field and in life. He is also certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association, receiving specialized training in CPR, effective ventilation, and choking procedures for all ages. Williams is committed to fostering a positive and supportive environment for his athletes while emphasizing personal growth, competitive success, and lifelong lessons through sport. He begins his tenure at UT Southern with a focus on elevating the Firehawks’ clay target program and building a championship culture.

NaKiya Mostella begins her first season as assistant cheer coach at the University of Tennessee Southern in 2025–26, returning to the program after a decorated collegiate career. A May 2025 graduate, Mostella proudly joins the Firehawk alumni family and brings a championship mindset, deep passion, and proven leadership into her new role. During her time as a student-athlete, Mostella earned First Team All-Conference honors three times (2021–22, 2023–24, 2024–25) and was named a First Team All-American in both 2023–24 and 2024–25. She was also recognized as the 2024–25 Southern States Athletic Conference Athlete of the Year—one of the highest individual honors in the league. Mostella’s accomplishments reflect her unwavering commitment, drive, and love for the sport. Now on the sidelines in a new capacity, she looks forward to mentoring the next generation of Firehawk cheerleaders with the same energy and dedication that defined her time on the mat.