Men's Basketball
- Title:
- Director of Basketball Operations
- Email:
- nmatson@csufresno.edu
Last Updated: Sept. 22, 2017
Nick Matson is in his seventh season on Rodney Terry's staff at Fresno State.  As an assistant coach, he is primarily responsible for in-game coaching, mentoring, recruiting, scouting and skill development.
He previously served as the Bulldogs' director of basketball operations for the past six seasons before promoted to assistant coach.
Matson has helped lead Fresno State to postseason appearances in three of the last four seasons, including a NCAA Tournament appearance in 2016 and NIT appearance in 2017.
During the 2015-16 season, Matson helped lead the Bulldogs to the 2016 Mountain West Championship title and a 2016 NCAA Tournament appearance.  With a 13-5 record in league play, the 'Dogs finished second in conference, which gave the Bulldogs their highest seed for a conference tournament since 2001 and guided the program back to the NCAA Tournament for the 1st time since 2001.  Fresno State won 25 games, which is the third most wins in a single season in school history, including wins in nine of its last 10 games and 11 of its last 12.
With Matson on the staff, Fresno State has won 20 or more games in three of the past four seasons and the Bulldogs have increased their conference win total in four of the past five seasons. Fresno State senior guard Marvelle Harris was named the 2015-16 MW Preseason and Postseason Player of the Year, finished the season in the Top 5 nationally in turnover margin and went 6-0 in games decided by a single possession.
During 2013-14 season, Fresno State won 21 games, including wins in 13 of its last 18 games, and finished in the postseason as the 2014 College Basketball Invitational Runner-Up. Â Fresno State forward Paul Watson was also named the 2014 Mountain West Freshman of the Year and a Freshman All-American. Â Harris and Tyler Johnson were also named all-conference.
Before coming to Fresno State, Matson spent the 2010-11 season as the graduate assistant at Murray State University under head coach Billy Kennedy. The Racers finished the season 23-9, winning the Ohio Valley Conference Championship, including at 14-4 conference record. While at Murray State, Matson assisted with administrative duties and player development, working with All-American guard Isaiah Canaan.
Matson spent the 2009-10 season as the coaching intern at Stanford University under Johnny Dawkins. He assisted with recruiting administration, team operations, and scouting reports.
Matson received his bachelors' degree in Psychology in 2009 from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI).
He was a guard for the VMI Keydets from 2006-2008 under head coach Duggar Baucom. The Keydets employed an up-tempo offense that set all-time NCAA records for points per game, steals, and 3-pointers made in a season. In 2008-09, Matson served as the undergraduate assistant coach, which was one of the most successful seasons in VMI Basketball history. The Keydets finished the season 24-8, including an upset victory over Kentucky at Rupp Arena.
A native of Roseville, Calif., Matson now resides in Fresno, Calif.
