New Headline: Matta's Change Questions IndyStar’s Bright Future
Matta, 58, led Xavier to the NCAA Tournament in all three seasons from 2001-2004, including the program's first Elite Eight berth.
Butler head coach Thad Matta, who coached at Xavier for three seasons, will retire, the school announced on Monday, March 16. Matta just finished his fourth season since returning to Butler as the head coach in 2022. He coached the Bulldogs for one season in 2001 before leaving for Xavier.
Butler finished 16-16 overall and lost to Providence in the first round of the Big East Tournament on March 11. Matta earned his 500th career win in February. More: Here are the former Xavier Musketeers going to the NCAA Tournament More: Sean Miller's Texas Longhorns head to UD Arena for First Four "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 news comes just days after Butler Athletic Director Grant Leiendecker said that Matta would return to coach in the Bulldogs for the 2026-27 season, according to The Field of 68. On March 13, Akeem Glaspie of the Indianapolis Star reported that Matta would return next season , noting that there was speculation that the 58-year-old would retire. Matta will remain with Butler as Special Assistant to the President and Athletic Director, the school announced.
Matta led Butler to a 24-8 record in 2001, then left the Bulldogs to become the head coach at Xavier. In three seasons with the Musketeers, he led Xavier to the NCAA Tournament three times and won a pair of A-10 regular season and conference tournament titles. Matta led Xavier to the program's first-ever Elite Eight berth in 2004.