Former Ohio State Basketball Coach Thad Matta Retires

Former Ohio State basketball coach has officially retired after a 21-year coaching career.

After parting ways with Ohio State following the 2016-17 season, Matta took a few years off but returned to Butler for four more years at the helm. He got his first head coaching job in 2000 at Butler.

“After taking some time to reflect following the end of the season, I have decided that the time has come for me to step away from the sidelines,” Matta said in a statement. “The love my wife, my daughters and I have for Butler is what brought us back four years ago, and it feels especially meaningful that I conclude my coaching career here.

“Butler has always meant more to us than just basketball — and that connection is why I’m grateful to continue working with the university and offering my help in any way I can. My commitment to Butler and to the future of this program remains as strong as ever. I want this program to compete at the highest levels of the Big East and national landscape, and I am excited to be part of what we continue to build here.”

After three seasons at Xavier, Matta was then hired at Ohio State for the 2004-05 season, where he would have a very successful 13-year stint leading the program. In that time, he made it to the NCAA Tournament nine times with just two first-round exits. He made the Sweet 16 five times, the Elite Eight three times, the Final Four twice and even took the Buckeyes to the national championship in the 2006-07 season.

That team, led by freshman Greg Oden, had a record of 35-4 and was 15-1 in the Big Ten, winning the conference.

He finished his Ohio State career with a 337-123 record, making him the winningest OSU coach of all-time.

At all of his stops, Matta had a 502-223 record, with his only losing stint being his four-year stop with Butler from 2022-26.

Matta will remain with Butler as special assistant to the president and athletic director.