Matt King joined Columbia’s sports performance staff in April 2015 as an assistant sports performance coach/speed and conditioning coach after serving three years on the strength and conditioning staff at his alma mater the University of Maine.
While at Maine, King was promoted to head strength and conditioning coach in summer 2013 and was responsible for designing and implementing the year-round speed, strength, and conditioning programs for the football, women's basketball, cross country and track & field teams. During his three years at Maine he also worked directly with baseball, men’s basketball, field hockey, softball, and women’s soccer.
During his tenure at Maine the women's basketball team captured the 2015 America East Conference regular season championship. The football team in 2013 won the Colonial Athletic Association Conference Championship and earned an NCAA FCS playoff appearance as well. In 2012 and 2013 the baseball squad advanced to the America East Conference Championship game. The women's soccer team advanced to the America East Conference Semifinals in 2012 and 2013.
King was a consensus first team All-America football player at Maine playing linebacker and defensive end for the Black Bears from 2002-2006. Matt was a candidate for the Buck Buchanan Award his senior year in 2006 when he lead the nation in sacks and tackles for loss. The Buck Buchanan award is presented every year to the best defensive player in the nation at the FCS level. Matt was also named team MVP, and first team All-Atlantic 10 his senior year.
After his collegiate playing career ended, King signed NFL free agent contracts with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007, and spent time in camp with both teams. Matt has also signed contracts in the Arena Football League with the Georgia Force in 2008, the Canadian Football League’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2008), and in the now defunct AF2 with the Manchester Wolves (2009).
Prior to arriving at back at Maine, King spent two years at Velocity Sports Performance and Premier Athlete Training in Foxboro, Mass. Matt first worked as a sports performance coach at Velocity Sports Performance, then as the director of sports performance operations at Premier Athlete Training.
As the director at Premier Athlete Training, Matt was involved in scheduling, outside sales, athlete recruiting, team training, individual program design, and daily business operations. King graduated with his undergraduate degree from Maine in 2007. He also received a master’s degree in Kinesiology and Physical Education with concentration in Exercise Science in 2015. He is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, a Certified USAW Level-1 Sports Performance Coach, and USA Track & Field Level-1 Coach.
