History of Thad Matta in Timeline

Thad Matta is a former American college basketball coach. He is notable for his successful tenure as head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2004 to 2017, where he became the program's all-time winningest coach. During his time at Ohio State, Matta led the Buckeyes to multiple Big Ten regular season and tournament championships, as well as two Final Four appearances and an NIT Championship. He briefly returned for a second stint as head coach of the Butler Bulldogs, where he previously coached in the 2000-01 season.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

July 11, 1967: Thad Matta Born

On July 11, 1967, Thad Michael Matta was born. He is a former American college basketball coach.

Others born on this day/year

1987: Butler University Bulldogs

In 1987–88 Thad Matta led Butler in assists (100) and three-point field goal percentage (.433).

1988: Butler University Bulldogs

In 1988–89 Thad Matta led Butler in free-throw percentage (.872).

March 2, 1989: Career-High Point Total

On March 2, 1989, Thad Matta achieved his Butler career-high point total of 21 points against Xavier University at the Cincinnati Gardens.

1990: Graduation from Butler University

In 1990, Thad Matta earned a B.S. degree from Butler University.

1990: Graduate Assistant at Indiana State University

In 1990–91, Thad Matta began his coaching career at Indiana State University as a graduate assistant under head coach Tates Locke.

1991: Academic Coordinator and Administrative Assistant at Butler

From 1991 to 1994, Thad Matta served as an academic coordinator and administrative assistant at Butler.

1992: Last Outright Big Ten Championship

In 2005-2006 season, Thad Matta led the Buckeyes to an outright Big Ten Championship for the first time since 1992.

1994: Assistant Coaching Position at Miami University (Ohio)

In 1994–95, Thad Matta took his first full-time assistant coaching position under Herb Sendek at Miami University (Ohio), helping Miami to a 23–7 record, a Mid-American Conference regular-season championship, and a first-round win in the NCAA tournament.

1996: Coaching Position at Western Carolina University

In 1996, Thad Matta accepted a coaching position at Western Carolina University under Phil Hopkins, helping the Catamounts to a 17–13 record and the school's first winning record in 10 years. Western Carolina captured the Southern Conference tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA tournament.

1997: Rejoined Butler University's Staff

In 1997, Thad Matta rejoined Butler University's staff, helping the Bulldogs to three consecutive 20-win seasons. During his time as Barry Collier's top assistant, Butler compiled a 67–29 record, won two Midwestern Collegiate Conference tournament championships, one MCC regular-season title, made two NCAA tournament appearances, and earned one NIT berth.

1999: Barry Collier leaves Butler

In 1999, Barry Collier left Butler after the 1999–2000 season to coach at the University of Nebraska.

2000: Head Coach of Butler Bulldogs

In 2000, Thad Matta became the head coach of the Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team.

2000: Midwestern Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year

In 2000–01, Thad Matta was named Midwestern Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year in his first and only season as head coach at Butler, after leading the Bulldogs to a school record 24 wins. He was also named National "Rookie Coach of the Year" by CBS SportsLine.com and College Insider.com.

2001: Record for Most Victories by Rookie Head Coach

In the 2001–02 campaign, Xavier's 26–6 record set the school record for most victories by a Xavier rookie head coach.

2002: Atlantic 10 Conference Championships

In 2002, Thad Matta led the Xavier Musketeers to an Atlantic 10 Conference regular-season championship and a league tournament title.

2002: Atlantic 10 Conference Coach of the Year

In 2002, Thad Matta was named Atlantic 10 Conference Coach of the Year, leading the Musketeers to the top regular season finish in the league at 14–2 and an Atlantic 10 Conference tournament championship. He also became the only first-year coach in conference history to ever win both the A–10 regular season and tourney championships.

2002: Naismith National Coach of the Year Award Finalist

In 2002–03, Thad Matta was a finalist for the Naismith National Coach of the Year Award.

2002: Highest Win Total for Second-Year Coach

In the 2002–03 season, Thad Matta's 26 wins marked the highest win total ever for a second-year Xavier head coach. He also broke the school record for most victories by a Xavier rookie head coach.

2003: Atlantic 10 Conference Regular Season Championship

In 2003, Thad Matta led the Xavier Musketeers to an Atlantic 10 Conference regular-season championship.

July 7, 2004: Hired as Head Coach at Ohio State

On July 7, 2004, Thad Matta was hired as the 13th head coach in Ohio State history.

2004: Head Coach of Ohio State Buckeyes

In 2004, Thad Matta became the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

2004: League Tournament Title and Elite Eight Appearance

In 2004, Thad Matta led Xavier to a league tournament title and an Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA tournament.

2005: Big Ten Championship

In the 2005–06 season, Thad Matta led the Buckeyes to an outright Big Ten Championship for the first time since 1992.

March 19, 2006: NCAA Tournament Loss

On March 19, 2006, the Ohio State Buckeyes' season ended during the second round of the NCAA tournament when they lost to Georgetown.

2006: Big Ten Conference Regular Season Championship

In 2006, Thad Matta led the Ohio State Buckeyes to a Big Ten Conference regular season championship.

2007: Big Ten Titles and Final Four Appearance

In 2007, Thad Matta led the Ohio State Buckeyes to a Big Ten Conference regular season championship, a Big Ten Tournament title, and an appearance in the Final Four.

2007: NCAA tournament

In the 2007–08 season, Thad Matta's Buckeyes did not make the NCAA tournament.

2008: NIT Championship

In 2008, Thad Matta led the Ohio State Buckeyes to the NIT Championship.

2009: NCAA Tournament First Round Elimination

In 2009, Ohio State went to the NCAA Tournament, but were eliminated in the first round by Siena.

2010: Big Ten Titles

In 2010, Thad Matta led the Ohio State Buckeyes to a Big Ten Conference regular season championship and a Big Ten Tournament title.

2010: Big Ten Title and Conference Tournament Title

In 2010, the Ohio State Buckeyes won a share of the Big Ten and the 2010 conference tournament title. In the NCAA tournament they beat UC–Santa Barbara in the first round 68–51. The next round they beat Georgia Tech 75–66, but went on to lose to Tennessee in the Sweet 16.

2011: Big Ten Titles

In 2011, Thad Matta led the Ohio State Buckeyes to a Big Ten Conference regular season championship and a Big Ten Tournament title.

2012: Big Ten Championship and Final Four Appearance

In 2012, Thad Matta led the Ohio State Buckeyes to a Big Ten Conference regular season championship and an appearance in the Final Four.

2012: Ohio State finished second in the Big Ten regular season

In the 2012–13 season, Ohio State finished second in the Big Ten regular season, one game behind league champion Indiana.

2013: Big Ten Tournament Title

In 2013, Thad Matta led the Ohio State Buckeyes to a Big Ten Tournament title.

March 12, 2015: School Record for Victories

On March 12, 2015, Thad Matta set a school record for victories, winning his 298th game for OSU after defeating Minnesota in the Big Ten tournament.

June 5, 2017: Stepped Down as Head Coach

On June 5, 2017, Thad Matta mutually agreed with Ohio State to step down as its head coach due to health issues that were causing a decline in team performance and recruiting. His final season at Ohio State was the first time in Matta's entire career that he failed to achieve at least 20 wins.

2017: End of Tenure at Ohio State

In 2017, Thad Matta's tenure as the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes came to an end.

2021: Associate Athletic Director for Indiana

In 2021, Thad Matta spent a season as the Associate Athletic Director for Indiana and the men's basketball team.

April 3, 2022: Hired as Head Coach of Butler

On April 3, 2022, it was announced that Butler hired Thad Matta as head coach to replace LaVall Jordan.

March 16, 2026: Retirement from Coaching

On March 16, 2026, Thad Matta announced his retirement from coaching, stating that he will remain with Butler as a special assistant to the university president and athletic director.