Butler Basketball Coach Thad Matta Retires
Thad Matta announced Monday that he is retiring from coaching after more than two decades leading Division I programs. Filmogaz.com confirmed he will remain at Butler University as a special assistant to the president and athletic director.
Decision and immediate plans
Matta said he took time to reflect after the season before deciding to step away from the sidelines. He emphasized his family’s connection to Butler and his desire to help the university in a new role.
Matta and his wife and daughters returned to Butler four years ago. He said he will keep supporting the program off the court.
Coaching résumé and milestones
Matta finishes his career with 502 wins and 223 losses. His teams reached the NCAA tournament 13 times.
He served two head-coaching stints at Butler and led the program to a then-school record 24 wins in 2000-01. That season ended with a second-round NCAA tournament appearance.
| Category | Stat / Note |
|---|---|
| Career record | 502-223 |
| Butler record (combined) | 87-77 |
| NCAA tournament appearances | 13 |
| Big Ten regular-season titles | 5 |
| Big Ten tournament titles | 4 |
| Final Fours | 2007, 2012 (Ohio State) |
| Elite Eight | 2004 (Xavier) |
| Age | 58 |
Stops between Butler tenures
Matta built his national profile at Xavier and Ohio State. He led Xavier to three straight NCAA tournaments and an Elite Eight in 2004.
At Ohio State, Matta took the Buckeyes to nine NCAA tournaments in 13 seasons. His teams reached Final Fours in 2007 and 2012.
Return to college athletics before coaching comeback
After leaving Ohio State in 2017, Matta moved into administration. He served as associate athletic director for basketball administration at Indiana in 2021-22 under Mike Woodson.
One year later he returned to Butler as head coach for a second time in 2022. His second stint lasted four seasons.
Legacy at Butler and beyond
Matta played three seasons at Butler as a college athlete. He later joined the Butler staff as an assistant in 1991.
He also spent time on staffs at Miami (Ohio) and Western Carolina before returning as an assistant in 1997. He became head coach in 2000-01 when Barry Collier left.
Program future and institutional role
Butler athletic director Grant Leiendecker praised Matta’s impact on players and the university. Leiendecker said Matta accepted an offer to remain at Butler to help sustain program stability.
Matta expressed continued commitment to competing in the Big East and on the national stage. He said he looks forward to contributing in a different capacity.
Butler Basketball Coach Thad Matta Retires marks the end of a long on-court run. It begins a new chapter for Matta at Butler University.
