Thad Matta (OSU's All Time Winningest Coach & 3x B1G COY, Butler HC)

[LitlBuck]

I love this dude.

and just one of the reasons why we all should. From the article linked above:

“The thing about being here 10 years is every day I find myself falling more in love with Ohio State and what this university does for students -- slash athletes -- but students first. I think it’s the most incredible university I’ve ever seen and I’ve really tried as much as I can to embrace it all,” Matta said. “I think people look at our program today and say, ‘It’s been this way.’

 

[DZ83CK]

http://ohiostate.scout.com/2/1342799.html

Axelrod BSB (free): Thad Matta opens up about Sylvester's shot, the Thad Five, Evan Turner, and 10 years at OSU

The one thing I take issue with is Matta keeps saying OSU was at rock bottom when he came. They were if having the prospect of a 1-year postseason ban was all that mattered. But you can't with a straight face tell me OSU was #330 in the country, worse than the likes of Hampton, Texas-San Antonio, Columbia, and about 300 other programs that almost nobody would say was typically a better hoops program than OSU. He's done a terrific job, but I don't like the hyperbole there as he suggests OSU was nothing before he came when they were a top-30 program. He's elevated them to a top-10 program, and done a great job at that, but OSU was something special before he came or else he wouldn't have taken the job in the first place.

 

[BUCKYLE]

The one thing I take issue with is Matta keeps saying OSU was at rock bottom when he came. They were if having the prospect of a 1-year postseason ban was all that mattered. But you can't with a straight face tell me OSU was #330 in the country, worse than the likes of Hampton, Texas-San Antonio, Columbia, and about 300 other programs that almost nobody would say was typically a better hoops program than OSU. He's done a terrific job, but I don't like the hyperbole there as he suggests OSU was nothing before he came when they were a top-30 program. He's elevated them to a top-10 program, and done a great job at that, but OSU was something special before he came or else he wouldn't have taken the job in the first place.

Meh, he's earned the right to engage in hyperbole imo. He took tOSU to a higher consistent level than we had achieved in decades. Not only that, but the grad rates were pathetic. Honestly, he can say whatever the hell he wants. As far as tOSU hoops coaches go, it's Fred Taylor, Gary Williams, and Thad, tho by the time he leaves, he could very well be the greatest tOSU bball coach we've ever had.

 

[cslewis]

The one thing I take issue with is Matta keeps saying OSU was at rock bottom when he came. They were if having the prospect of a 1-year postseason ban was all that mattered. But you can't with a straight face tell me OSU was #330 in the country, worse than the likes of Hampton, Texas-San Antonio, Columbia, and about 300 other programs that almost nobody would say was typically a better hoops program than OSU. He's done a terrific job, but I don't like the hyperbole there as he suggests OSU was nothing before he came when they were a top-30 program. He's elevated them to a top-10 program, and done a great job at that, but OSU was something special before he came or else he wouldn't have taken the job in the first place.

I believe he was referring to the 20% graduation rate. I'm not sure if this number is accurate, but it's a different measure than you may be thinking of.

 

[BayBuck]

The one thing I take issue with is Matta keeps saying OSU was at rock bottom when he came. They were if having the prospect of a 1-year postseason ban was all that mattered. But you can't with a straight face tell me OSU was #330 in the country, worse than the likes of Hampton, Texas-San Antonio, Columbia, and about 300 other programs that almost nobody would say was typically a better hoops program than OSU. He's done a terrific job, but I don't like the hyperbole there as he suggests OSU was nothing before he came when they were a top-30 program. He's elevated them to a top-10 program, and done a great job at that, but OSU was something special before he came or else he wouldn't have taken the job in the first place.

OSU was arguably at rock-bottom when O'Brien left... by OSU standards. But yes, as cslewis says, Matta was clearly referring to graduation rates with that quote.

 

[DZ83CK]

Yeah, by OSU standards the hoops program was in poor position when Matta took the helm. That being said, it is not clear that graduation rate is the main reason why he's rating OSU #330. The graduation rate is part of his case for suggesting OSU was nothing when he got there (along with the postseason ban), and the idea that OSU was the worst program in college basketball when he took over is what I take issue with. It isn't like Matta to over-dramatize things typically, but he does it there and I don't care for it. But all in all, Matta's done a terrific job and certainly the best man for the job at that time.

 

[AuburnBuckeye]

Yeah, by OSU standards the hoops program was in poor position when Matta took the helm. That being said, it is not clear that graduation rate is the main reason why he's rating OSU #330. The graduation rate is part of his case for suggesting OSU was nothing when he got there (along with the postseason ban), and the idea that OSU was the worst program in college basketball when he took over is what I take issue with. It isn't like Matta to over-dramatize things typically, but he does it there and I don't care for it. But all in all, Matta's done a terrific job and certainly the best man for the job at that time.

When he says "rock bottom" i'm pretty certain he doesn't mean the worst program in D1. You're taking it WAY too literally

 

[BayBuck]

Yeah, by OSU standards the hoops program was in poor position when Matta took the helm. That being said, it is not clear that graduation rate is the main reason why he's rating OSU #330. The graduation rate is part of his case for suggesting OSU was nothing when he got there (along with the postseason ban), and the idea that OSU was the worst program in college basketball when he took over is what I take issue with. It isn't like Matta to over-dramatize things typically, but he does it there and I don't care for it. But all in all, Matta's done a terrific job and certainly the best man for the job at that time.

Let's take a look at the tape:

“I remember saying to kids when we began our recruiting process, ‘We’re at rock bottom. I’m not going to lie to you,’” Matta recalled. “We had a 20 percent graduation rate. I didn’t know that until I got here.

“There were 330 Division-I programs at the time, and we were the 330th. People forget where we were.”

I still think you're misreading it.

 

[OHSportsFan]

To change it up...

When Matta leaves The Ohio State University (damn that day), the program will most certainly NOT be at 'rock-bottom' by anyone's standards. However, I do wonder (and worry) the direction that the basketball program will go when Thad decides to call it quits.

I hope he stays for many more years because he will be hard to replace.

 

[Onebuckfan]

M and M ..heady times for tOSU athletics..making Gene look good.

 

[DZ83CK]

Let's take a look at the tape:



I still think you're misreading it.

No, I think some people are viewing the comment too narrowly in the context of that one article. You have to remember, this isn't the first article that Matta has mentioned the "rock bottom" line, and believe me I've seen it more than that one, and this next one which supports my view of his comment of rock bottom to refer more generally than the graduation rate.

http://www.the-ozone.net/hoops/13-14Men/MattaLegacy.html

So yeah, you could say OSU was at rock bottom for themselves as a basketball program. But 330 out of 330 ... I guess I take more issue with the 330 out of 330 remark than the rock bottom line itself. Maybe if he actually were just referring to the graduation rate then I would be OK with it, but I believe in the past he's also used the rock bottom and 330 out of 330 to suggest OSU was in a worse spot than any program in college basketball. Go ahead and see if you can find another article to try to change my mind.

 

[BayBuck]

No, I think some people are viewing the comment too narrowly in the context of that one article. You have to remember, this isn't the first article that Matta has mentioned the "rock bottom" line, and believe me I've seen it more than that one, and this next one which supports my view of his comment of rock bottom to refer more generally than the graduation rate.

http://www.the-ozone.net/hoops/13-14Men/MattaLegacy.html

So yeah, you could say OSU was at rock bottom for themselves as a basketball program. But 330 out of 330 ... I guess I take more issue with the 330 out of 330 remark than the rock bottom line itself. Maybe if he actually were just referring to the graduation rate then I would be OK with it, but I believe in the past he's also used the rock bottom and 330 out of 330 to suggest OSU was in a worse spot than any program in college basketball. Go ahead and see if you can find another article to try to change my mind.

Again, he goes right from "rock bottom" (and no postseason play) to graduation rates. Either way, seems like a silly thing to get worked up about after these last 10 years. He's earned the right to tell his own story.

 

[DZ83CK]

I'm not angry about it, I know it's not that serious, just wish he wouldn't dramatize things like that.

 

[Buckskin86]

Ohio State men's basketball: Thad Matta survives, thrives for nine seasons under pressure

KYLE ROBERTSON | DISPATCH
Thad Matta, talking to Aaron Craft during last season’s NCAA tournament, has picked up some gray hair during his years at OSU.

By Bob Baptist
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2013

• 
  Thad Matta smiled at the first answer that crossed his mind a few weeks ago, his first afternoon with the media this fall to preview his 10th season as Ohio State men’s basketball coach.
  
  “What,” Matta was asked, “are you most proud of in your 10 years here?”
  
  There was the smile, and then:
  
  “To be here in my 10th year,” Matta said. “It’s like 80 in dog years around here, I think.”
  
  He has a point.
  
  Rare is the college basketball coach who lasts a decade at one school anymore. Since 1985, when the NCAA expanded the men’s tournament to 64 teams and the Big Ten routinely began sending at least half its teams to the sport’s signature event, the pressure to be one of the “haves” has increased like a vise on Matta and his fellow coaches.
  
  Since he was hired by Ohio State in July 2004, nine other Big Ten schools have changed coaches at least once, and a couple three times. Tom Izzo at Michigan State (19th season) and Bo Ryan (13th) at Wisconsin are the only ones remaining in their jobs from when Matta entered the league.
  
  The turnover is the result
  
  of “the goldfish bowl,” said former Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger, who hired Matta.
  
  “What we’ve created with our football stadiums and our basketball stadiums are giant television studios, and it’s 24-7. It’s really, really hard. Just a massive amount of pressure.”
  • 
    cont...

• 
  
  

 

[AuburnBuckeye]