Butler Men's Basketball Coach Thad Matta Announces Retirement

Veteran coach steps down after 21 seasons and two Final Four appearances

Mar. 16, 2026 at 6:48pm

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Butler men's basketball coach Thad Matta announced his retirement on Monday, ending a storied career that spanned over two decades and included 502 victories as well as two Final Four appearances. Matta, who spent five seasons with the Bulldogs, will continue to work as a special assistant to the university's president and athletic director.

Why it matters

Matta's retirement marks the end of an era for Butler basketball, as he was a highly respected and accomplished coach who helped elevate the program to national prominence. His departure raises questions about the future direction of the team and the search for a new head coach to continue the Bulldogs' success.

The details

Matta compiled a 502-223 record over 21 seasons as a head coach, including an 87-77 mark with the Bulldogs. He earned 337 victories at Ohio State and 78 at Xavier before returning to Butler, his alma mater, four years ago. Despite failing to reach the NCAA tournament in the last four seasons, Matta's tenure was marked by 13 previous tournament appearances and two Final Four runs.

  • Matta announced his retirement on March 16, 2026.
  • He spent the last five seasons as the head coach of the Butler Bulldogs.

The players

Thad Matta

The retiring head coach of the Butler men's basketball team, who had over 500 career wins and two Final Four appearances during his 21-year coaching career.

Grant Leiendecker

The athletic director of Butler University, who praised Matta's impact on the basketball program and the university as a whole.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Thad Matta, Retiring Head Coach

“It is hard to fully capture in words what the Matta family has meant to Butler University and to our men's basketball program.”

— Grant Leiendecker, Athletic Director

What’s next

Butler University will now begin the search for a new head coach to lead the men's basketball program into the future.

The takeaway

Thad Matta's retirement marks the end of a highly successful coaching career that saw him guide Butler and other programs to national prominence. His departure leaves big shoes to fill, as the Bulldogs look to continue their tradition of excellence on the basketball court.