Thad Matta is arguable the most successful head coach in Ohio State basketball history. With a school record of 337 wins, five Big Ten regular-season titles, four Big Ten tournament titles, nine NCAA tournament appearances, and two trips to the Final Four, a strong case can be made for Matta.
Unfortunately for Matta, persistent back issues left him with the inability to be as involved as he would’ve liked in his final few years on the OSU bench. Matta was relieved of his coaching duties in an odd fashion in June of 2017, leading some to speculate there were internal issues between him and Ohio State athletic director, Gene Smith.
Regardless, Matta handled the situation with class and has yet to officially retire. Enter Wichita State.
The Shockers have had an ongoing investigation of troubling allegations of player abuse and are expected to part ways with current head coach, Gregg Marshall. It is reported that Matta is tops on Wichita State’s wish list.
If Wichita State parts ways with Gregg Marshall soon as expected, Thad Matta will be at the top of the replacement list. I am hearing the school would like him to start right away and coach this season if they can pull it off. @TheAthleticCBB
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) November 11, 2020
Seth Davis posted on Twitter that the Shockers could make Matta their new head coach “right away.” However, it’s hard to believe that any program would bring in a new coach two weeks before the season is set to begin.
According to a very well placed source, Thad Matta will NOT be replacing Gregg Marshall this season. What happens in the future is anybody's guess, but in the short term, not happening. https://t.co/RiDyxIZlz6
— Brian Snow (@BSnow247) November 11, 2020
Could Thad Matta be the next coach at Wichita State University? Having a few years to rest that ailing back has probably done wonders and a guy as competitive as Matta most likely feels like he still has something to offer.
It seems Wichita would be a great landing spot for the former OSU head coach if it pans out that way. Time will tell and we wish nothing but the best for one of the class acts in college sports.
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