Butler Men's Basketball Coach Thad Matta Announces Retirement

Veteran coach ends 21-year career marked by over 500 wins and two Final Four appearances.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 8:05pm

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Butler men's basketball coach Thad Matta announced his retirement on Monday, concluding a 21-year coaching career that included over 500 victories and two Final Four appearances. Matta, who compiled an 87-77 record in five seasons with the Bulldogs, said he will continue to work as a special assistant to the president and athletic director at Butler.

Why it matters

Matta's retirement marks the end of an era for Butler basketball, as the veteran coach was instrumental in elevating the program to national prominence during his two stints as head coach. His departure leaves a significant void that the university will need to fill as it looks to maintain the Bulldogs' competitiveness in the Big East conference.

The details

Matta, 53, announced his decision to step away from coaching after the Bulldogs' 16-16 season in 2025-26, their fourth consecutive year missing the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. Over his 21-year career, Matta compiled a 502-223 record, including 337 wins at Ohio State and 78 at Xavier.

  • Matta announced his retirement on March 16, 2026.
  • He spent five seasons as Butler's head coach, compiling an 87-77 record.
  • Matta's Bulldogs failed to reach the NCAA tournament for the fourth straight year in 2025-26.

The players

Thad Matta

Veteran college basketball coach who announced his retirement after 21 seasons, including five with the Butler Bulldogs.

Grant Leiendecker

Butler University athletic director, who praised Matta's impact on the program and announced he will remain with the university in a special advisory role.

Jim Danko

President of Butler University, who offered Matta a position to continue elevating the institution after his retirement from coaching.

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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 Butler Men's Basketball 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, Butler University Athletic Director

What’s next

Butler University will now begin the process of searching for a new head coach to lead the men's basketball program, with the goal of maintaining the Bulldogs' competitiveness in the Big East conference.

The takeaway

Thad Matta's retirement marks the end of an era for Butler basketball, as the veteran coach was instrumental in elevating the program to national prominence during his two stints as head coach. His departure leaves a significant void that the university will need to fill, but Matta's continued involvement in an advisory role suggests a commitment to ensuring a smooth transition and the continued success of the Bulldogs.