Trent Matthews is the current Defensive Coordinator at Colorado Mesa, a position he has held for two years. Prior to joining the Mavericks, Matthews was the Co-Defensive Coordinator and cornerbacks coach at Converse Judson High School in San Antonio, Texas. During his time at Judson, he helped develop and coach several notable student-athletes, including LJ Bowens (Oregon), Anthony Evens (Georgia), and Myles Davis (4-star recruit).
Before coaching at Judson High School, Matthews spent a year as the secondary coach at the University of Northern Colorado in the Big Sky Conference. There, he coached and developed starting cornerback Mike Walker, who recorded Second Team Big Sky and was named Two-Time “Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week in FCS.” Walker led the team with four interceptions, returning two for touchdowns, and finished with 10 pass break-ups.
Matthews began his coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant working with the defensive backs and nickels at Colorado State University in 2018. While at CSU, he worked under head coach Mike Bobo, defensive coordinator John Jancek, cornerback coach Eric Lewis, and safety coach George Helow. Matthews was part of the team that upset (SEC) Arkansas 34-27 and helped develop multiple NFL draftees in 2019.
Prior to his time at CSU, Matthews had a short stint with the Edmonton Eskimos and signed an off-season contract with the Miami Dolphins in 2017. Before that, he was a Wide Receiver Coach at Denton High School near Dallas, where they went 8-6 and clinched a 5A playoff spot. There, he helped develop and coach University of Colorado all-state CB Chris Miller and all-Texas Area Fordham safety Anthony Tony-Itoyah.
Matthews was a four-year starter at Colorado State from 2012-15, recording 273 tackles, 18 pass break-ups, and double-digit intercepted passes while playing DB. He was also a three-time All-Mountain West Selection over his time at CSU and finished in the top 10 in school history. Matthews was on the Jim Thorpe watchlist and Danny Wuerffel Award watch list during his time at CSU.
Matthews finished his student career at Colorado State with a Bachelor's in Liberal Arts with a Minor in History. He is married to his wife Arisha Matthews and has two kids, Malik and Jaya.
