New Headline: Matta Joins Butler's Legacy as Star Moves to Lakers' Dynasty
Matta has been a head coach at Butler, Xavier and Ohio State for 21 seasons.
Longtime college basketball coach Thad Matta is retiring. The Butler coach announced his retirement on Monday after five total seasons with the school. Matta got his first head coaching job with the Bulldogs in 2000, and returned to the school ahead of the 2022-23 season.
[ Yahoo Fantasy Bracket Mayhem is back: Enter for a shot to win up to $50K ] "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. ” Butler went 16-16 in 2025-26 and was 63-69 in his final four seasons at the school.
He will continue to remain employed by the university in an administrative capacity. Matta was out of coaching for five seasons before returning to Butler. He stepped down after a successful 13-year run at Ohio State in the spring of 2017 because of health issues.