CC: Thad Matta
Obviously below the pipe dream candidates and maybe Howard, but he's clearly above the Yak line as far as I'm concerned. He built OSU basketball to a national contender, bringing them to two final fours and two elite eights, before stepping away two years ago. His last season in 2017 was his only below 20 wins. If you're concerned over Buckeye ties, spare me. That's the type of thinking that leads to Porter Moser and actual losses to OSU on the hardwood. He also knows how to navigate a massive athletic department.
This is all of course if he's healthy enough now to return to coaching, but I'd like this hire.
Hell No!
Rather have Rudy T than him
I never get on posters for making stupid topics but this one is just nonsensical.
Aside from the fact that he was the coach at OSU, doesn’t Matta have major health problems that forced his retirement in the first place? As good of a coach as Jerry Kill is, his unfortunate health issues were a constant issue and ultimately capped the success that he was able to have. Why would Matta be any different?
Health concerns almost always stems from poor nutrition. Bet you a dollar they both eat like crap, and/or are big drinkers.
Unfortunately, this isn't the case for Thad Matta.
Matta used to be in excellent health, and would run in marathons and other endurance events. Then Matta started to develop back pains, which got severe enough that he opted to get surgery for it.
The surgery was botched, and damaged some nerves, which left Matta permanently disabled with a condition called "drop foot," and the back pains were still present. That is why you always saw Matta sitting on a special "chair" court-side for the last several years of his career because he couldn't stand for long hours.
The biggest impact career-wise was in recruiting. Not only was it impossible for Matta to consistently travel the hours necessary for a major college program, but also competing programs would use Matta's health to negatively recruit against him and question his longevity.
In a semi-related note, I actually ran into Thad Matta about a year after his retirement, and he was super nice, and we chatted for about an hour. Matta had recently built a new house in the suburbs of Indianapolis, and seemed content in retirement. He said he spent a lot of his days visiting his daughter, who attends Butler University, and dropping in on his protege's practices, Archie Miller at Indiana (Bloomington).
Health concerns and recruiting dipped. We arent getting 2007 level Matta. He is on the downslope.
A healthy Matta (back to the 2005 - 2008 or so timeframe) - heck yes. But I believe he still has major health issues (back - mobility) which really affected his recruiting his last few years. Pass on 2019 version of Matta
Matta had debilitating back issues but it’s rumored to have healed significantly over the last couple of years. He was allegedly in talks with UCLA for their position. I heard in local Columbus radio he turned it down but I haven’t seen anything that supports that assertion. He was also in talks with GA. I’d pass on Matta, there is no need to take that big of a risk when you are UM. I’m in the minority that thinks the TT coach would be a perfect hire.
I read somewhere that he's a goblin
He's also a fuckin goblin!!
Boy, really disappointed in the board this week.........sad
Yes, it's a spitball tsunami....
just wait until the alphabet runs out at John Wooden and then watch the airport gates for the real candidate(s)........................
He's a very good coach, and says he's healthy. All depends on how much the OSU connection offends people. I get it. But if he won big like he did at OSU, I can also see the extra schadenfreude factor.
All depends on how much the OSU connection offends people
If Jesus Christ Himself was a tOSU alum, I wouldn't want Him anywhere near the University of Michigan.
Period.
Okay then. BTW Matta's not an OSU alum, he just coached there. You do know Bo coached at OSU, right? And our current favorite, Ed Warinner. Gary Moeller played for Woody Hayes.
Bo literally had a degree from OSU. One of the differences that existed between OSU and Michigan was that while they act like they can't stand us, they're not too proud to take from us things they find beneficial. Coaches, transferring players, etc. Thankfully we took a chance with Warriner and our o line quickly improved. Just an example that you take the help you need, regardless of where it's from.
This is a terrible idea.
Dirty.
Fell apart in the last few years at OSU.
And OSU.
I think you can criticize his credentials, but do you have any evidence of "dirty"? I live in Columbus and am close to some pretty plugged in OSU fans, and there was frustration on how clean of program he ran, often to its detriment (at least as far as the bag man stuff goes).
A buddy and former in-conference coach told me that Matta was super dirty, worst in the conference. He didn’t say that about any other coach in the conference. So, if the direct words of another coach don’t do it for you....
The standard heuristic for cheating is if you are pulling in top-ranked recruits and blue-chip recruiting classes, your program probably isn't clean.
Matta was pulling guys like Greg Oden and Jared Sullinger. Matta's program was almost certainly tainted...
Just like most other top-level coaches.
One of the reasons Thad stepped down was because he felt the water was unclean in college recruiting. Jared Sullinger’s dad is a widely respected coach throughout Ohio. Doubt he was taking handouts for his son. And it just so happens that Sullinger grew up in a Buckeye household a stones throw away from the school. Oden followed his high school teammate and best friend(Mike Conley) to OSU. Conley’s dad was the AAU Coach and I think a few players from that team all just wanted to continue playing together in college.
By everything that was reported not only by OSU but his many opponents - he was NOT dirty, He even made mention indirectly that one of the reasons his recruiting took a dip his last few years is that he couldn't compete with the sleazy coaches out there and we all know who they are. Coach JB was at the top of my list as far as coaches that did things the right way but Matta was right behind him. Dirty ? I don't think so !
I thought he was a great recruiter, but he was not a great develooer of talent. If he got talented players, they played great, but never seemed to improve from year to year or during the season. I also thought he got outcoached on a few ocassions. But that may just be me looking poorly on coach of a rival team.
First off, did you see how his career ended at Ohio State? Physically the guy is just toast. Second, he was always a great recruiter, and a terrible in game coach. No thank you.
Next
Get the fuck out of here Antonio!
No thanks.
HE!! N0!
Someone eject this thread from existence.
How about Bo Ryan?!
So his health problems were a botched back surgery that affected his foot. I've read (here) that he's doing better. That linked article makes it sound like he could be ready to go. He's only 51. Fifty one.
I'd put him at the top of the list with Donovan.
What’s a Matta with you?
"Stepped away"
with a not-to-subtle push
It has been a sad two days. First, Beilein leaves, and then we are all reminded of what the board looks like during a coaching search.
So the board will crucify Mattison but potentially welcome Matta?
Kids these days. SMH.
"The board" contains hundreds of people with different opinions. And most here seem to be crucifying the OP.
While we are at it here are some other suggestions:
Larry Eustachy
Johnny Dawkings
Seth Greenberg
John Groce
Mike Davis
Kevin Stallings
*see anyone can play this game. Seriously though, if it is not Billy Donovan, Mark Few, Brad Stevens, Chris Beard, or Tony Bennett, you just go with Yak or Saddi.
There have been some bad ones, but this is the worst.
I'd rather see Don Brown do double duty.
Do we really want a penis as a head coach?
I'd take him over Porter Moser, sure. Not that that's saying much.
If we were having this discussion 4-5 years ago, sure. But his best days appear to be long, long past him.
punch yourself in the testicles please
It is my understanding is that he is a goblin.
He's below the Yak line for me. Either get a guy who is a proven top-notch coach who can still do it or go in-house, not dig up re-treads.
GTFO
Delete this thread, NO WAY
He's younger than people realize. Only 51. Had 1 bad year at OSU that was affected in large part by injuries, and it coincided with his own health problems. Assuming he's healthier, he's absolutely above the Yak line for me.
If he's healthy, I don't mind this at all.
His recruiting fell off, but it seems like he got a raw deal at OSU. How do you get fired after all that he accomplished?
He has arguably a better resume than Beilein - at the least really similar.
13 years at OSU. 9 NCAA tourneys. 5 regular season Big Ten championships. 4 conference tourney titles. 2 Final Fours. .733 winning percentage.
No major scandals or rampant cheating, IIRC. I get the idea of not liking him bc of where he coached, but why all the hate otherwise?
Boo this man.
People having a really hard time understanding that he’s not healthy and done coaching. It’s amazing