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LOOK: Former Ohio State coach Thad Matta gets new job in the Big East

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby:Jonathan Wagner•04/03/22•

Jonathan Wagner

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Stephen Dunn via Getty Images.

The Butler Bulldogs have found their next head men’s basketball coach, and it is a familiar face in Thad Matta. Butler announced on Sunday that Matta, who previously coached at Butler during the 2000-2001 season, is returning to lead the program a second time.

Matta replaces LaVall Jordan at Butler. Jordan was fired just days ago after five seasons at the helm of the Bulldogs.

During the 2000-2001 season under Matta, Butler went 24-8 overall, 11-3 in conference play, won the regular season and conference titles, and made it to the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs won their first game in the tournament before being ousted in the Round of 32. Following that season, Matt became the head coach at Xavier.

Matta spent three years at Xavier, leading the Musketeers to three NCAA Tournament appearances. Xavier made it to the Round of 32 in both of Matta’s first two seasons, and ran all the way to the Elite Eight in his third season. In those three seasons at Xavier, Matta led the Musketeers to a 78-23 overall record, including a 39-9 mark against Atlantic 10 opponents.

Ahead of the 2004-2005 season, Matta became the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes. There, he amassed a 337-123 record in 13 seasons. The Buckeyes saw plenty of success under Matta. He led Ohio State to nine NCAA Tournament appearances. In those nine appearances, Ohio State made it to the championship game once, the Final Four once, the Elite Eight once, and the Sweet 16 twice. The Buckeyes won the NIT Tournament in 2007-2008 and made it to the NIT second round in 2015-2016.

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Matta comments on returning to Butler

Butler will officially re-introduce Matta on Wednesday, April 6. Bulldogs AD Barry Collier is excited to be bringing Matta back to Butler, and believes that he is the right fit to lead the program moving forward.

“The success that Thad has achieved at every one of his programs speaks for itself,” said Collier. “He is a championship-caliber coach and recruiter who brings valuable experience and contagious energy to Butler. I have seen that personally in Thad as a player, assistant coach and head coach. The Matta Family – Thad, Barb, Ali and Emily – has a deep appreciation for Butler and I know they join all of the Butler community in how excited we are for what’s to come.”

Matta is glad to have gotten the opportunity to return to Butler, and he plans on being in contention right away.

“Butler is a special place, one that Barb, Ali, Emily and I each chose as our school,” said Matta. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to Butler and lead our men’s basketball program. There is a solid foundation in place and I’m confident that Butler will consistently be among the top programs in the BIG EAST. I can’t wait to attack the work we have in front of us and to be back on the sidelines at Hinkle Fieldhouse.”