Matt King is in his first year as an assistant strength and conditioning coach with the Cardinals after spending the past 14 years at the collegiate level, including most recently at Michigan State as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the last two seasons (2024-25).
King came to the Cardinals after making a brief stop at Texas as assistant athletic performance coach for the football program before joining Arizona's staff in March of 2026. Prior to Texas, he was at Michigan State for two years (2024-25) with the Spartans football team. Before Michigan State, King served as Connecticut's Director of Football Strength and Conditioning for five years (2019-23).
Previously, King was on the University of Washington staff for three seasons (2016-18) as assistant football strength and conditioning coach. He also served as Columbia's director of speed, strength and athletic performance for one season (2015-16).
King began his coaching career at his alma mater, Maine, first as assistant speed, strength and conditioning coach in 2012 before being promoted to director of speed, strength and conditioning in 2013 where he spent the following three years (2013-15). Prior to his time with Maine, King worked at Velocity Sports Performance and Premier Athlete Training in Foxboro, MA as the Director of Sports Performance Operations starting in 2008.
He played collegiately at Maine as a four-year linebacker (2003-06) and was a first-team All-American as a senior in 2006 and a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award honoring the best FCS defensive player. King was also an All-Atlantic 10 first team selection and was voted team MVP in 2006 after leading the conference in sacks (11.5). After his playing career ended, King spent time at training camp with the Jets and Steelers in 2007. He then went on to play with the Georgia Force of the AFL and the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2008 as well as the AFL's Manchester Wolves in 2009.
King earned his bachelor's degree from Maine in Mass Communications in 2007 as well as his master's degree in Kinesiology and Physical Education in 2015. He is CSCS-RSCC certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and has earned Level 1 certification as a Sports Performance Coach by United States Weightlifting and USA Track & Field. King also holds Level 1 Precision Nutrition and Functional Range Conditioning Mobility Specialist certifications.
He and wife, Lauren, have three children, Scarlett, Kaliah and Kayden.
