Matta has an overall coaching record of 439-154 in 17 seasons at Butler, Xavier and Ohio State.
Holy cow! I don't think of anyone, and I mean, has anyone seen it coming. I don't know how Barry Collier pulled it off, but wow, what a fare! Matta was an assistant to Butler for three years, from 1997–2000, and then coached in the 00–01 season, in which the Dogs made the NCAA Tournament and won a game against Wake Forest.
After coaching Butler, Matta left for Xavier Musketeers, coaching there for three seasons, winning 26 games in all three seasons, making two rounds of 32 appearances and an Elite eight. Matta then moved to Ohio State where he is best known for his work.
Matta is the most winning coach in Ohio State's program history, failing to win 20 games only once in 17 seasons, and that was in the 2016–17 season when he suffered from some serious health problems. Matta took a break over the next few years, before becoming an associate AD for Indiana last season.
Butler continued his trend of hiring coaches who had previously been associated with the program and joined schools such as Xavier who this season hired a successful former coach. I don't think anyone's seen Butler making such a big splash, I mean, I'm on the floor.
Matta is one of the best college coaches out there, having made two Final Fours with one national championship appearance alongside Greg Oden. Matta missed the tournament four times in 13 years at Ohio State, with the team serving a self-imposed post-season ban in its first year. Matta has made the tournament in all three of his stints, making the tournament 13 of his 16 qualifying seasons as head coach.
The worries about hiring Matta are very simple, just health issues. We all know he can be a coach, and if health issues aren't stopping him, there's not much he can do. With many reports suggesting that Matta is in good health, we are in very capable hands.
I’ve spoken to Thad Matta several times and he has told me he feels terrific health-wise.The Butler job obviously fits him, but the key will be how hard he wants to get after it in the portal and on the recruiting front.Staff will be extremely important for Matta nowadays.— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 3, 2022
I’ve spoken to Thad Matta several times and he has told me he feels terrific health-wise.The Butler job obviously fits him, but the key will be how hard he wants to get after it in the portal and on the recruiting front.Staff will be extremely important for Matta nowadays.— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 3, 2022
The roster is currently looking a bit dry as Simas Lukosius has decided to enter the transfer portal soon after the firing of Lavelle Jordan, there are a lot of openings. There are currently five open scholarship spots, and I would expect more to open depending on the modern relocation landscape.
Matta will have to work to improve this roster and find some helpful trainers who can recruit immediately. But, man this fare was important. The Big East now boasts some of the very best coaches in the country with Jay Wright, newly minted Coach of the Year Ed Cooley, up-and-coming stars Shaheen Holloway, Greg McDermott, Dan Hurley, Shaka Smart, Sean Miller, and now. Thad Matta, among others.
Eight of the Big East's 11 head coaches have now coached in the Sweet 16.Five have coached in the Elite Eight. https://t.co/UBKYv3PxFN— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 3, 2022
Jay Wright.Ed Cooley.Dan Hurley.Sean Miller.Shaka Smart.Patrick Ewing.Shaheen Holloway.Thad Matta.Mike Anderson.Greg McDermott.Tony Stubblefield.We’ve got some big time names in the Big East. @stoolbenchmob— Jake Marsh (@PMTsportsbiz) April 3, 2022
The program needed new, positive energy and this is what they brought with Matka. You need to pretend because the school hasn't made a tournament since 2018 and there's no denying that they did. Full home run, I can't wait to see what Matta can do next season. I've thrown any semblance of fairness out the window, but I don't care, I'm overjoyed. Welcome back, Coach! Go Dogs!