Matthew Mulligan

Hello, I’m Matt Mulligan

I have been obsessed with sports since I can remember. Growing up in the back woods of Maine taught me the discipline I would later need to carry out my dreams of becoming a professional athlete. Starting in the third grade and continuing through high school I determined my path would be collegiate athletics. My hope was that one day with enough hard work those dreams would become a reality.

Grade school and high school offered many different opportunities to play various sports. I led as Captain and was selected for All-Conference in every sport except for football. My high school did not offer football but the desire to play was always there. 

In 2003 I began my freshman year in college as a top basketball recruit. During one of our away games at Mt. Ida, their football team was in the crowd. They looked at my six-four, 240-pound frame and started heckling me. It wasn’t malicious, just fun. “Buddy, you’re playing the wrong sport. You should be playing football!” shouted one of the Mustangs, and I took the suggestion to heart. I connected with the head football coach who offered me an opportunity to play Tight End in Division III football.  

In 2004 my football journey began. It became apparent through my coaches, teammates, and play on the field that I should explore the idea of playing Division I football. 

In 2005 I transferred to a Division I program at the University of Maine where I would be a preferred walk-on and redshirt for that season. From 2006-2007 I played 17 games for Maine over two seasons.

In 2008 I entered the NFL draft. Fourteen NFL teams offered me a Priority Undrafted Free Agent Contract. I decided to sign with the Miami Dolphins, which was the beginning of nearly a decade career in the NFL. Over the next 9 years, I played for 10 NFL organizations, eventually retiring in 2017.

In 2019 I took a position as an assistant strength coach with the Washington Commanders (NFL), and in 2021 I became the head football strength coach for the University of Maine Black Bears. I was in charge of all strength and conditioning-related activities with the football program, training over 90 athletes and implementing strength-based programs focusing on the maximization of athletic prowess through strength. 

In 2022 I opened a training facility in Bangor, Maine, Northern Maine Strength, where I currently train professional, collegiate, high school, and youth athletes. My private training center challenges athletes with state-of-the-art equipment and technology.