Ken Matsuda, an influential assistant coach for the USC track and field program, passed away at the age of 90.
He was a towering figure who worked as a track coach for Vern Wolfe for 18 seasons, from 1966 to 1984.
Ken Matsuda was a cornerstone of the legendary USC Trojans track and field program for nearly two decades.
He served under Vern Wolfe and became an integral part of five NCAA championship teams.
His expertise was most evident in the sprint events, and he was the mastermind behind the USC sprint relay teams. He guided the team to an incredible nine NCAA titles and ten conference championships.
Similarly, his impact extended far beyond team victories. He coached long jumper Randy Williams to Olympic glory, winning gold in 1972 and silver in 1976.
Likewise, he coached the famous USC 440-yard relay team that set a world record of 38.6 seconds in 1967 and featured O.J. Simpson, Fred Kuller, Lennox Miller, and Earl McCullouch.
His coaching genius left an indelible mark on the sport, shaping the careers of countless world-class athletes.
Ken Matsuda, Whose Athletic Fame Was Forged in the Resilience of Youth, Passes Away
Ken Matsuda was a man known for his celebrated athletic prowess and his fiercely guarded private life. Sadly, he passed away at 90.
He carried the profound and complex history of his childhood with a quiet dignity that belied his public fame.
Ken was born in Fresno, California, and his early life was irrevocably shaped by a period of profound national injustice.
His family was forcibly relocated from their home when he was eight years old and lived in the internment camps in Little Rock and Jerome, Arkansas.
His resilient spirit first shone through these unlikely, harsh surroundings.
He had shared a poignant memory of an older man in the camp who offered the children twenty-five cents for every rattlesnake they could capture. Later, the man would use the rattlesnake to craft wallets.
Ken was just a kid and didn’t know anything better. So, he used to bring him lots of rattlesnakes. He reflected that he was glad he had never been bitten.
Furthermore, his tenacity and focus propelled him to athletic stardom in the years that followed. His true strength was forged in the dust of those internment camps.
Ken Matsuda, an assistant track coach at USC from 1965-84, has died at age 90. He was a towering figure within the track program and a big part of six NCAA championship teams
— InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) September 17, 2025
Despite the fame, Ken successfully maintained a low profile in his personal life, valuing privacy, family, and quiet reflection over the glare of the spotlight.
He carried the lessons of resilience, humility, and the importance of community throughout his entire life. He is remembered not only for his towering height but also for the profound journey that shaped him.
Ken’s family will soon announce his celebration of life. He was a devoted friend and a quiet hero to those who heard his story.
Rest in Peace, Ken Matsuda.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Ken Matsuda was inducted into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame.
- He graduated with a degree in Exercise Physiology from USC in 1956.
- He taught special education before coaching at USC in 1965.
