Thad Matta to Return as Butler Basketball Coach in 2026-27 Season

The veteran coach will begin his fifth season with the Bulldogs next year.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:52pm

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Butler University has announced that Thad Matta will return as the head coach of the men's basketball team for the 2026-27 season. This will mark Matta's fifth season in his second stint with the Bulldogs, after previously coaching the team during the 2000-01 season.

Why it matters

Matta is a respected and experienced coach who has had success at the collegiate level, including leading Butler to the NCAA Tournament in his first season with the team in 2000-01. His return provides stability and continuity for the Bulldogs' program as they look to improve upon recent seasons that have seen them struggle in Big East conference play.

The details

Over the past four seasons, Matta has compiled a 63-69 overall record and a 28-52 mark in Big East conference games. The Bulldogs' lone winning season during this stretch was in 2023-24, when they went 18-15. This past season, Butler went 16-16 and lost in the first round of the Big East Tournament to Providence.

  • Thad Matta will return as Butler's head coach for the 2026-27 season.
  • Matta previously coached the Bulldogs during the 2000-01 season.

The players

Thad Matta

An experienced college basketball coach who will be returning to lead the Butler Bulldogs for the 2026-27 season, his fifth year in his second stint with the program.

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What’s next

Butler will look to build on Matta's experience and leadership as they aim to improve their performance in the Big East conference in the coming seasons.

The takeaway

Thad Matta's return to Butler provides stability and continuity for the Bulldogs' basketball program as they seek to regain their footing in the competitive Big East conference.