Wilson Matthews graduated from Arkansas Tech in 1942. While at Tech, Matthews was a member of the Wonder Boy football team. He was a standout member of the Wonder Boys earning All-AIC Honors in 1940, 1941 and 1942. Following his time at Tech, Matthews coached football at Rogers High School in 1944. He then coached at Little Rock Central and led the team to a record of 111-14-3. He was an assistant coach at Arkansas for 11 years. He became Associate Athletic director at the University of Arkansas. He worked under Frank Broyles to establish the academic-athletic scholarship program at Arkansas. Matthews was a member of the Arkansas Hall of Fame, Razorback Hall of Honor and the Arkansas High School Coaches Hall of Fame. He was named a Distinguished American by the Arkansas Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame. Matthews was inducted into the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction in 1980 and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1971.