Thad Matta retires as Butler basketball coach

Bulldogs will have a new coach to lead them forward in 2026-27 after a surprising announcement

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:24pm

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Butler men's basketball coach Thad Matta has decided to retire following the 2025-26 season, despite previously being expected to lead the team for a fifth season in 2026-27. Matta cited the need to reflect and step away from the sidelines, though he will continue to work with the university. The Bulldogs struggled to a 16-16 record this past season despite a talented roster, and Matta acknowledged the challenges of navigating the changing landscape of college basketball.

Why it matters

Matta's retirement marks a significant transition for the Butler basketball program, which has seen its share of ups and downs in recent years. The school's athletic director now has the opportunity to select a new coach who can help the Bulldogs return to competing at the highest levels of the Big East and nationally.

The details

Matta, who was 502-223 in 21 years as a head coach, led Butler to a Midwest Collegiate Conference championship and NCAA Tournament berth in his first stint with the program. He then went on to have success at Xavier and Ohio State before returning to Butler in 2022. However, the Bulldogs struggled in his final four seasons, never finishing better than eighth in the Big East. Injuries and roster turnover played a role in the team's inability to break into the top half of the conference.

  • Matta announced his retirement following the 2025-26 season.
  • Butler finished the 2025-26 season with a 16-16 record.

The players

Thad Matta

The retiring Butler basketball coach, who previously had successful stints at Xavier and Ohio State.

Grant Leiendecker

The Butler athletic director, who will now be tasked with hiring the program's next head coach.

Michael Ajayi

An All Big-East performer who was part of Butler's strong transfer portal class for the 2025-26 season.

Jalen Jackson

A Butler point guard who missed time due to injury during the 2025-26 season.

Azavier "Stink" Robinson

Another Butler point guard who was sidelined by injury during the 2025-26 campaign.

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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 basketball coach (Butler University)

“It's important, but it's not the biggest factor. I think we are unique here. We are unique in the way we built it here. No matter what league we've been in, we've never been the school with the most resources, winning with the most talent. We have to win with our people, our culture, and yes, very talented players, but it's always going to be that we win because the whole is greater than the sum of our parts.”

— Grant Leiendecker, Butler Athletic Director (Indianapolis Star)

What’s next

The Butler athletic department will begin a search for Matta's replacement, with the goal of finding a coach who can help the program return to competing at the highest levels of the Big East and nationally.

The takeaway

Matta's retirement marks the end of an era for Butler basketball, as the program looks to navigate the changing landscape of college hoops and find a new leader who can restore the Bulldogs to their former glory.