Two days after announcing he would return, Butler announced on Monday, March 16, men's basketball coachThad Matta is retiring.
Theschool announced the newsin a press release on Monday. Matta, 58, had been the Bulldogs coach since the 2022-23 season. He will remain with the university with a role as a special assistant to the president and athletics director.
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"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 the news release. "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."
The news came as a surprise to at least two players, according to IndyStar's Butler reporter Akeem Glaspie.
"I've already spoken to one parent of a player currently on the team, he said he heard the news for the first time through the school's press release. Seems like the decision was abrupt,"Glaspie posted on X.
Two hours later,Glaspie added: "Spoke to one current player, he spoke to coach Thad Matta as recently as Friday, discussing plans for the upcoming season. Clearly, there was a change of heart/circumstance in the two days following."
Matta finishes his head coaching career with a 502-223 overall record. He won a combined eight conference regular-season championships at Butler, Xavier and Ohio State, while also appearing in the NCAA Tournament 13 times, earning two berths in the NCAA Final Four and one appearance in the national championship game in 2006-07 with the Buckeyes.
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"It is hard to fully capture in words what the Matta family has meant to Butler University and to our men's basketball program," Butler athletics director Grant Leiendecker said. "As a student-athlete, two assistant coaching tenures and then twice as head coach at Butler, Thad has given so much to our university and his impact on our student-athletes has been life-changing.
"Today is bittersweet in that Thad will no longer be leading our program on the sidelines but we are grateful that he has accepted President (Jim) Danko and my offer to remain at Butler University to continue to elevate the institution, as his wisdom and experience are invaluable and will help maintain stability in our program."
In his first stint with Butler, the Bulldogs went 24-8, won the Midwestern Collegiate Conference and advanced to the Round of 32. After stops at Xavier and Ohio State, Matta returned to Butler ahead of the 2022-23 season.
Matta finished his second stint with the Bulldogs with a 63-69 record, failing to make the NCAA Tournament in any of the four years.
"I want to sincerely thank (President) Jim Danko, (Vice President and Athletic Director) Grant Leiendecker, and (former Athletic Director) Barry Collier for their trust, leadership and friendship," Matta said. To our players, coaches and staff, past and present, thank you for everything you've poured into this program and for living The Butler Way. To our fans and the countless people who support us, you are what makes this place so special.
"I will always be grateful for the experiences, the relationships, and the memories Butler has given me and my family. I'm proud of what we've built together, and I look forward to staying connected and contributing in a new way as the next chapter begins."
Before his head coaching career, Matta served as a Butler assistant twice before being named head coach of the Bulldogs in 2000. He was a two-year starter with Butler after he transferred in as a player from Southern Illinois.
Thad Matta career record
Here's a look at Matta's coaching career with Butler, Xavier and Ohio State:
Butler (2000-01): 24-8, 11-3 MCC
Xavier (2001-02): 26-6, 14-2 Atlantic 10
Xavier (2002-03): 26-6, 15-1 Atlantic 10
Xavier (2003-04): 26-11, 10-6 Atlantic 10
Ohio State (2004-05): 20-12, 8-8 Big Ten
Ohio State (2005-06): 26-6, 12-4 Big Ten
Ohio State (2006-07): 35-4, 15-1 Big Ten
Ohio State (2007-08): 24-13, 10-8 Big Ten
Ohio State (2008-09): 22-11, 10-8 Big Ten
Ohio State (2009-10): 29-8, 14-4 Big Ten
Ohio State (2010-11): 34-3, 16-2 Big Ten
Ohio State (2011-12): 31-8, 13-5 Big Ten
Ohio State (2012-13): 29-8, 13-5 Big Ten
Ohio State (2013-14): 25-10, 10-8 Big Ten
Ohio State (2014-15): 24-11, 11-7 Big Ten
Ohio State (2015-16): 21-14, 11-7 Big Ten
Ohio State (2016-17): 17-15, 7-11 Big Ten
Butler (2022-23): 14-18, 6-14 Big East
Butler (2023-24): 18-15, 9-11 Big East
Butler (2024-25): 15-20, 6-14 Big East
Butler (2025-26): 16-16, 7-13 Big East
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Butler basketball coach Thad Matta retirement surprises players
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