Legendary USC Track and Field Coach Ken Matsuda Dies at 90
September 21, 2025 | Track & Field
LOS ANGELES – USC Track and Field mourns the loss of former USC Cross Country Coach and Assistant Track Coach Ken Matsuda who passed away on Sept. 15 at the age of 90.
Matsuda made an immense impact on the program as an assistant coach under Vern Wolfe for 18 seasons. During his tenure, he helped the Trojans to three Outdoor National Championships in 1967, 1968 and 1976 and two Indoor National Championships in 1967 and 1972. Matsuda also served as an academic advisor and coached a number of individual national champions and Olympic medalists in this time.
Matsuda went on to serve on the United States Olympic Committee as a manager of the track and field site at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 and again at the Olympics in Seoul in 1988. He continued to support Team USA athletes as the meet director of the USA Track and Field Olympic Trials in New Orleans in 1992.
Following his time at USC, Matsuda became a strength and conditioning coach for professional athletes. He trained elite tennis, volleyball, basketball and baseball players as well as an Indy Race Car driver. Matsuda mentored over one hundred Olympians and world-class athletes at the completion of his career including Olympic medalist Tonie Campbell, Olympic champion Randy Williams, French Open Champion Michael Chang and Olympian Rayfield Beaton.
Matsuda was inducted into the USC Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2008. He is survived by his wife Jan, two children Jo Ann and Mike, five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Matsuda made an immense impact on the program as an assistant coach under Vern Wolfe for 18 seasons. During his tenure, he helped the Trojans to three Outdoor National Championships in 1967, 1968 and 1976 and two Indoor National Championships in 1967 and 1972. Matsuda also served as an academic advisor and coached a number of individual national champions and Olympic medalists in this time.
Matsuda went on to serve on the United States Olympic Committee as a manager of the track and field site at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 and again at the Olympics in Seoul in 1988. He continued to support Team USA athletes as the meet director of the USA Track and Field Olympic Trials in New Orleans in 1992.
Following his time at USC, Matsuda became a strength and conditioning coach for professional athletes. He trained elite tennis, volleyball, basketball and baseball players as well as an Indy Race Car driver. Matsuda mentored over one hundred Olympians and world-class athletes at the completion of his career including Olympic medalist Tonie Campbell, Olympic champion Randy Williams, French Open Champion Michael Chang and Olympian Rayfield Beaton.
Matsuda was inducted into the USC Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2008. He is survived by his wife Jan, two children Jo Ann and Mike, five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
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