Butler’s Men’s Basketball Coach Thad Matt Embarks on Epic Retirement Celebration!
Butler men's basketball coach Thad Matta announced his retirement Monday, ending a career marked by 502 victories and two Final Four appearances.
Thad Matta coached at Butler, Ohio State and Xavier. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI March 16 (UPI) -- Butler men's basketball coach Thad Matta announced his retirement Monday, ending a career marked by more than 500 victories and two Final Four appearances. Matta compiled a 502-223 record over 21 seasons, including an 87-77 mark over five with the Bulldogs.
He earned 337 victories at Ohio State and 78 at Xavier. He said he will continue to work as a special assistant to the president and athletic director for the Bulldogs. "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 news release.
"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. " Matta's Bulldogs went 16-16 in 2025-26, failing to reach the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament for the fourth consecutive year under the veteran coach. He earned 13 previous NCAA tournament berths, including one in 2000-01 with the Bulldogs.