John Matsko enters his 29th season coaching in the NFL and his first as Washington's offensive line coach in 2020.
Matsko brings nearly three decades of NFL coaching experience, two Super Bowl appearances and a Super Bowl Championship to Washington. Matsko's career includes coaching roles with the Carolina Panthers (2011-19), Baltimore Ravens (2008-11), Kansas City Chiefs (2006-07), St. Louis Rams (1999-05), New York Giants (1997-98), New Orleans Saints (1994-96) and Phoenix Cardinals (1992-93).
Matsko, who was promoted from offensive line coach to running game coordinator by the Panthers in 2016, spent all nine seasons of his Panthers career under current Washington head coach Ron Rivera. A pivotal part of the Panthers run game, Matsko led Carolina to 30 consecutive regular season games with at least 100 rushing yards from Week 6 of 2014 to Week 3 of 2016, the longest streak in the NFL since Pittsburgh tallied 43 from 1974-77. Four of the top six seasons in rushing average in franchise history have come in the last eight years under Matsko. He also helped lead the Panthers offensive line to an NFC Championship and a trip to Super Bowl 50.
Last season, Carolina's running game had top-six finishes in average yards per carry (6th, 4.71) and rushing touchdowns (T-4th, 20). Running back Christian McCaffrey tallied his second-consecutive season with at least 1,000 rushing yards. In 2018, Carolina topped the NFL in rushing yards per attempt with a 5.1-yard average, while finishing fourth in total rushing yards (2,136). In Week 3, Matsko's line cleared running lanes for McCaffrey to record 184 rushing yards, the fourth-highest rushing output in Panthers history. Left guard Trai Turner earned Pro Bowl honors for the fourth consecutive season.
The Panthers ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing in 2017, averaging 131.4 rushing yards per game. Led by quarterback Cam Newton who rushed for a career-best 754 rushing yards, along with Jonathan Stewart (680 yards) and McCaffrey (435), the Panthers were the only team in the NFL with three players rushing for more than 400 yards. Left guard Andrew Norwell earned AP All-Pro First Team honors, while right tackle Daryl Williams earned Second Team honors. Turner was named to the Pro Bowl for the third consecutive season.
Under Matsko's guidance in 2015, the offensive line played a prominent role for the NFL's top-scoring offense and second-best rushing offense, helping the Panthers win the NFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl 50. Kalil was named to the Pro Bowl for the fifth time and added All-Pro recognition, and Turner earned his first career Pro Bowl selection. From 2011-2014, Matsko stabilized a line that won two NFC South Championships
From 2008-10, Matsko helped the Baltimore Ravens rank in the top five in the NFL in rushing twice. Prior to joining Baltimore, Matsko served as offensive line coach of the Kansas City Chiefs from 2006-07. In 2006, the offensive line helped the Chiefs rank ninth in the NFL in rushing and compile a team-record 11 100-yard rushing games. Under Matsko's guidance, guards Will Shields and Brian Waters earned Pro Bowl recognition.
From 1999-2005, Matsko served as the offensive line coach for the St. Louis Rams. The Rams led the league in total offense for three consecutive years from 1999-2001, including a record 5,232 yards in 2000, and won Super Bowl XXXIV. He played an instrumental role in the development of two Pro Bowlers - tackle Orlando Pace and guard Adam Timmerman.
Matsko began his NFL coaching career as offensive line coach of the Phoenix Cardinals in 1992 and served in that capacity for two seasons. In 1993, the line opened holes for the Cardinals to have their first 1,000-yard rusher since 1985. He then moved to New Orleans in 1994 and coached three seasons with the Saints. Under Matsko's tutelage, tackle Willie Roaf made three Pro Bowls, and the Saints rated third in the league for fewest sacks allowed in 1996. Following his stint with New Orleans, Matsko assumed the same role from 1997-98 with the New York Giants, where they improved both their pass protection and run blocking. The Giants allowed 24 fewer sacks and jumped from 19th to seventh in the NFL in rushing in 1997 compared to 1996.
Prior to joining the NFL, Matsko spent 17 years on the college level. He worked as a graduate assistant at Miami (Ohio) from 1974-75 and returned as offensive line coach in 1977 after being the head coach at Danbury High School in Lakeside-Marblehead, Ohio, in 1976. Matsko served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at North Carolina from 1978-84 prior to stops as offensive line coach at Navy in 1985 and Arizona in 1986. He joined Southern California as offensive line coach in 1987 and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 1989 for his final three seasons with the Trojans.
Matsko played fullback at Kent State and lettered three years from 1970-72. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business education in 1973 and later earned a master's degree in education from Miami (Ohio) in 1976.
2020: Offensive Line, Washington Football Team
2016-19: Running Game Coordinator, Carolina Panthers
2011-15: Offensive Line Coach, Carolina Panthers
2008-11: Offensive Line Coach, Baltimore Ravens
2006-07: Offensive Line Coach, Kansas City Chiefs
1999-05: Offensive Line Coach, St. Louis Rams
1997-98: Offensive Line Coach, New York Giants
1994-96: Offensive Line Coach, New Orleans Saints
1992-93: Offensive Line Coach, Phoenix Cardinals
1989-91: Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line, USC
1987-88: Offensive Line Coach, USC
1986: Offensive Line Coach, Arizona
1985: Offensive Line Coach, Navy
1978-84: Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line, North Carolina
1977: Offensive Line Coach, Miami
1974–75: Graduate Assistant, Miami
1973: Student Assistant, Kent State
1970-72: Fullback, Kent State
