Matt Wilson was named the eighth full-time Commissioner in OVC history on March 13, 2016. He will begin his duties on May 18, 2026.
A respected voice in intercollegiate athletics, Wilson has built a reputation as a consensus-builder and innovative leader. His experience spans championship administration, media partnerships, external relations, and NCAA governance. He is known for his collaborative approach to leadership, his commitment to data-driven decision making, and his ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments.
Most recently, Wilson served as Commissioner of the Gulf South Conference, where he demonstrated exceptional leadership during a period of significant transition. Joining the GSC just four years after six member institutions departed to form a new conference, Wilson led continued strategic membership expansion initiatives that restored conference stability and positioned the GSC for long-term competitive success. Under his leadership, the conference also became the first Division II league to partner with FloSports for multimedia rights, establishing new revenue streams and expanding the conference's national visibility.
Prior to the Gulf South Conference, Wilson served in a senior leadership role with the ASUN Conference where he was instrumental in strategic planning, championship operations, and conference development initiatives. During his nine years at the ASUN, he provided firsthand experience navigating the complexities of Division I athletics, including media rights negotiations, NCAA governance, and membership strategy during a period of significant conference realignment.
Wilson also spent six years at his alma mater, Belmont University, rising from Assistant SID to Assistant Athletics Director.
The Columbia, Tennessee, native graduated from Belmont in 1998 with a B.A. in History. He and his wife, Sara, have two children, Mia and Yates.