Buckeye Basketball in Great Shape Under Matta
The word that best describes Thad Matta’s coaching career is consistency. The 45 year-old Matta has made a few stops on his way to becoming the head coach of Ohio State Basketball, and he was successful at all of them.
In his first year as a head coach Matta led his alma mater Butler to a 24-8 record and a birth in the NCAA tournament. He was also named Horizon League Coach of the Year.
Matta’s quick success caught the attention of Xavier University who quickly offered him their head-coaching job, which Matta accepted. Again, Matta had instant success finishing with a 26-6 record and an NCAA tournament birth.
Two years later Matta made history with Xavier by taking them on their first trip to the Elite Eight in program history. After the season Matta was a hot commodity on the coaching market.
After Ohio State let go of former head coach Jim O’Brien in the wake of NCAA violations they needed to move in a different direction and Matta was the perfect man for the job.
In his first season in Columbus, Matta registered a signature victory by knocking off then 29-0 Illinois in a 65-64 thriller. Since then, Ohio State has enjoyed one of the most successful stretches in program history with him at the helm.
Matta has compiled a 233-68 overall record and 100-41 in Big Ten play. His .709 winning percentage against conference foes is second among active Big Ten coaches, behind Bo Ryan.
Matta is now in his ninth season leading the Buckeyes and has racked up an impressive list of accomplishments.
Atop that list is a pair of trips to college basketball’s biggest stage. Matta’s first Final Four appearance came in 2007 where Ohio State would play for a national championship, but eventually lose to Florida. Three members of that team wound up being first round picks in the NBA draft.
The Buckeyes reached the Final Four again this past March, but fell to Kansas.
Matta’s Buckeyes have won five Big Ten regular season titles and three Big Ten Tournament titles. He has also been named Big Ten Coach of the Year three times.
In addition to success at the team level Matta has had several of his players receive individual honors. He has coached eight first team All-Big Ten players. They include Greg Oden, Evan Turner, and Jared Sullinger who were all first team All-Americans as well.
Since 2005 the Buckeyes have only missed the NCAA Tournament once and that came in a year where they wound up winning the NIT.
With Matta patrolling the Buckeye bench they have become one of the most consistent basketball programs in the country. This is always a team to keep your eye on come tournament time.
Dan Cronin is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, e-mail djc5353@gmail.com.
