The Thad Matta era at Ohio State has officially come to an end.
Athletic director Gene Smith announced Monday, in a joint press conference with Matta, that Matta was out as head coach after 13 seasons.
"We came to a mutual understanding, and it was time for a change in the basketball program," Smith said. "This may be a surprise to me. I think it's the right thing for our program at the right time."
Smith said a national search for Ohio State's next coach will begin immediately. Additionally, Smith said there was no timetable for hiring the Buckeyes' next head coach. Matta said he has agreed to stay on and assist with the search process.
"Obviously, this has been probably the greatest 13 years of my life," Matta said, his voice shaking. "Looking around here, seeing all these fans and what all the guys have been able to accomplish. Thinking of my wife, my two daughters. They've been with me at the top and at the bottom."
"I thank Gene Smith, Dr. Drake, Buckeye Nation. They have been incredible," he continued. "I know how hard the conversation has that we had, but I completely understand it. We mutually agreed to do this."
Matta was 337-123 (.733) in his 13 years as the head coach of the Buckeyes. He won five Big Ten regular-season championships, four Big Ten tournament titles and made two Final Four appearances. He is the winningest coach in Ohio State history.
But the last two seasons have been anything but smooth for Matta. The Buckeyes missed the NCAA tournament in each season and finished this latest campaign just 17-15 overall and without an NIT berth. It was the first time Matta failed to reach 20 wins in his 17-year head coaching career.
Prior to coming to Ohio State before the 2004-05 season, Matta spent one season as the head coach at Butler and three at Xavier. Over his 17-year career, Matta has a record of 439-154 (.740).
Matta has a well-documented history of health issues and said he was unsure if he'd coach again.
"Never say never," he said, "But you know, honestly, my whole focus right now is trying to get healthy. That's all I am concerned about."
Even if he never steps foot on the sideline again, Matta will go down as one of the top coaches in Ohio State history. Ultimately, though, this felt like a necessary change though both Smith and Matta admitted the timing was a bit odd.
"Today does not define who I am," Matta said.
| Season | Overall | Conference | Standing | Postseason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–05 | 20–12 | 8–8 | 6th | Ineligible |
| 2005–06 | 25–6 | 12–4 | 1st | NCAA Round of 32 |
| 2006–07 | 35–4 | 15–1 | 1st | NCAA Runner Up |
| 2007–08 | 24–13 | 10–8 | 5th | NIT Champions |
| 2008–09 | 22–11 | 10–8 | 4th (T) | NCAA Round of 64 |
| 2009–10 | 29–8 | 14–4 | 1st (T) | NCAA Sweet Sixteen |
| 2010–11 | 34–3 | 16–2 | 1st | NCAA Sweet Sixteen |
| 2011–12 | 31–8 | 13–5 | 1st (T) | NCAA Final Four |
| 2012–13 | 29–8 | 13–5 | 2nd (T) | NCAA Elite Eight |
| 2013–14 | 25–10 | 10–8 | 5th | NCAA Round of 64 |
| 2014–15 | 24–11 | 11–7 | 6th | NCAA Round of 32 |
| 2015–16 | 21–14 | 11–7 | 7th | NIT Second Round |
| 2016–17 | 17–15 | 7–11 | 10th (T) | – |
