CHARLOTTE - John Matsko, fast approaching 20 years of coaching experience on the NFL level and 40 years overall, has been tabbed as the Panthers' offensive line coach, the team announced Thursday.
Matsko, 59, has coached every style of offensive line along the way, from the dynamic passing offenses of the St. Louis Rams at the turn of the century to the efficient run offenses of the Baltimore Ravens.
Matsko's last stop was in Baltimore, where the Ravens ranked in the top five in the NFL in rushing in two of his three seasons.
"John is regarded as an outstanding teacher in both the rushing and pass blocking aspects of offensive line play," Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said. "A good offensive line is vital to the success of any offense, and John has a history of overseeing some outstanding units."
Matsko was offensive line coach for the Rams' squad that won Super Bowl XXXIV to cap the 1999 season. He played a role in the development of Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Pace, as well as two-time Pro Bowl honoree Adam Timmerman, as St. Louis led the league in total offense for three consecutive seasons.
After leaving the Rams, Matsko spent two seasons with Kansas City before going to Baltimore, where the Ravens allowed 33 sacks - second fewest in team history - while featuring the NFL's youngest offensive line in 2008.
He began his NFL career with the then-Phoenix Cardinals in 1992 and spent two seasons there before coaching with the Saints (1994-96) and Giants (1997-98).
A Cleveland native, Matsko played college football at Kent State, graduating in 1973, before coaching at Miami (Ohio), North Carolina, Navy, Arizona, and Southern Cal prior to his jump to the NFL.
