Thad Matta Retires as Butler Men’s Basketball Coach

Butler University men’s basketball coach Thad Matta announced his retirement on Monday, March 16, 2026, after four seasons leading the Bulldogs. Matta, who previously coached at Xavier and Ohio State, will transition into a new role as special assistant to the president and athletic director at Butler .

A Second Stint at Butler

This marked Matta’s second tenure as head coach at Butler, having previously led the Bulldogs from 2000-2001. During his first stint, he achieved a 24-8 record and an NCAA tournament appearance . His return in 2022 was met with enthusiasm, but the program did not reach the NCAA tournament during his recent four-year period.

Impressive Career Record

Throughout his more than 20-year career, Matta amassed a record of 502-223 and secured 13 NCAA tournament appearances . He established himself as a consistent winner during his time at Xavier and Ohio State.

Success at Xavier and Ohio State

At Xavier, Matta led the Musketeers to three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight run in 2004. He then achieved significant success at Ohio State, guiding the Buckeyes to nine NCAA tournaments in 13 seasons. He earned three Big Ten Coach of the Year awards, five Big Ten regular-season titles and four Big Ten tournament titles, along with Final Four appearances in 2007 and 2012 .

Sudden Decision

The news of Matta’s retirement came as a surprise to players, and staff. Reports indicate that some players learned of the decision through the school’s press release . One player had spoken with Matta as recently as Friday regarding plans for the upcoming season .

Looking Ahead

Matta expressed his gratitude for his time at Butler and his commitment to the program’s future. He stated his desire to see the Bulldogs compete at a high level in the Big East and nationally . Butler Athletic Director Grant Leiendecker praised Matta’s impact on the university and student-athletes and expressed gratitude for his continued involvement in a new capacity .