Thad Matta

R

redfazed

Well-known member
Experienced, high-major D1 head coach: check
Winning record: check
Available now: check


https://wfan.radio.com/articles/news/st-johns-coaching-search-6-names-consider

THAD MATTA

Matta was fired by Ohio State in 2017 after leading the Buckeyes to nine NCAA Tournament appearances in his 13 seasons -- including two Final Fours.

Matta, 51, has had health concerns related to his back and foot. Despite that, he told Cleveland.com last year that he's open to returning to coach if the opportunity is right, and he's interviewed for jobs.
 
[quote="P Simmons" post=339902]Experienced, high-major D1 head coach: check
Winning record: check
Available now: check


https://wfan.radio.com/articles/news/st-johns-coaching-search-6-names-consider

THAD MATTA

Matta was fired by Ohio State in 2017 after leading the Buckeyes to nine NCAA Tournament appearances in his 13 seasons -- including two Final Fours.

Matta, 51, has had health concerns related to his back and foot. Despite that, he told Cleveland.com last year that he's open to returning to coach if the opportunity is right, and he's interviewed for jobs.[/quote]

Rather take a chance on him before cluess or jon. Start with the heavy down to the light weights, atleast ask. Is there any harm in just asking?
He 3rd on my list behind rick and Bobby
 
I would hire Matta.

Assuming his health is OK the question should be why would you not hire someone with such a track record of success:
—
From 2004 to 2017, Matta led the Ohio State Buckeyes to five Big Ten Conference regular season championships, four Big Ten Tournament titles (2007, 2010, 2011 and 2013), two Final Four appearances (2007 and 2012), and the 2008 NIT Championship. He is the winningest coach in Ohio State history.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thad_Matta
 
[quote="otis" post=339946]I would hire Matta.

Assuming his health is OK the question should be why would you not hire someone with such a track record of success:
—
From 2004 to 2017, Matta led the Ohio State Buckeyes to five Big Ten Conference regular season championships, four Big Ten Tournament titles (2007, 2010, 2011 and 2013), two Final Four appearances (2007 and 2012), and the 2008 NIT Championship. He is the winningest coach in Ohio State history.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thad_Matta[/quote]

Yep! If he checks out health-wise, then I would have no problems at all with Matta.
 
His name was floated on redmen.com during prior coaching searches and feeling was he was a midwest guy. But he is free agent, no buyout and most impressive coaching record and experience. Also relatively young.

Hopefully he gets a look.
 
I think he would be a great choice, my only concern would be, would he be his health, another thing would be could he adapt to NYC and could he be happy in our environment?
 
Back, schmack. Matta doesn't plan to lower himself back into a mom and pop mid major after being on the mountaintop.
 
Heck if an x and o guy and loved by his players but a lot of people out here criticized his recruiting efforts. Pretty much seemed like he always land one or two elites but then never filled in the roster for depth. I wouldn't be sad but the view by some that he wasn't an aggressive recruiter scares me a bit.
 
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[quote="newsman13" post=340003]Back, schmack. Matta doesn't plan to lower himself back into a mom and pop mid major after being on the mountaintop.[/quote]

Dunno, newsie.

We're not the same mom-and-pop shop we were a decade ago. Repole and others have changed the game. Cragg doesn't leave Dook to run a mom-and-pop shop. Lavin and Mullin don't attach their names to the old mom-and-pop approach.

I'm not saying we're running like a top-tier program right now. We have work to do. But we're not talking about Hurley, Pitino or Matta in the old days. (And, for the record, I would be thrilled to see any of those guys at SJU.)
 
[quote="newsman13" post=340003]Back, schmack. Matta doesn't plan to lower himself back into a mom and pop mid major after being on the mountaintop.[/quote]
——-
As the old saying goes “if you don’t ask, you don’t get”.

Coach Matta or his agent deserves a phone call inquiry from Mr. Cragg or his representatives to gauge interest.
 
[quote="firestorm" post=340032][quote="newsman13" post=340003]Back, schmack. Matta doesn't plan to lower himself back into a mom and pop mid major after being on the mountaintop.[/quote]

Dunno, newsie.

We're not the same mom-and-pop shop we were a decade ago. Repole and others have changed the game. Cragg doesn't leave Dook to run a mom-and-pop shop. Lavin and Mullin don't attach their names to the old mom-and-pop approach.

I'm not saying we're running like a top-tier program right now. We have work to do. But we're not talking about Hurley, Pitino or Matta in the old days. (And, for the record, I would be thrilled to see any of those guys at SJU.)[/quote]

We're certainly the mom and pop operation we were ten years ago. An outstanding name coach could change that...but there are none out there who believe this school will ever be more than that. We should change conferences already rather than live the charade we're a Big East team. At least we'd make the NCAA's once in a while...one and done, of course, but at least we'd be there.

Cragg is in way over his head. I'm sure the lights of NYC glittered enough to con him into thinking we could be the Duke of the north. Then reality set in...and he's holding his nose (or should be) while perusing the list of candidates. Right now, he's a gentleman's "C"...not the "A" we'd hoped.

Repole hasn't changed anything in case you haven't noticed. Lavin was also fooled by the glitter and he gave it the old college try. Mullin came out of loyalty and he brought a friend with him.

To refresh your memory, names like Calipari and Pitino did come up in the old days. The small-timers wanted Norm Roberts.

You're right. We're not a top tier program right now with work to do. Who's going to do it...some guy who was never forced to make a game changing decision before?

We could be a top 25+ team every year and relevant with the right coach. Mike "I've fallen and I can't get it up" Cragg doesn't have the chops to pull this one off.
 
[quote="newsman13" post=340555][quote="firestorm" post=340032][quote="newsman13" post=340003]Back, schmack. Matta doesn't plan to lower himself back into a mom and pop mid major after being on the mountaintop.[/quote]

Dunno, newsie.

We're not the same mom-and-pop shop we were a decade ago. Repole and others have changed the game. Cragg doesn't leave Dook to run a mom-and-pop shop. Lavin and Mullin don't attach their names to the old mom-and-pop approach.

I'm not saying we're running like a top-tier program right now. We have work to do. But we're not talking about Hurley, Pitino or Matta in the old days. (And, for the record, I would be thrilled to see any of those guys at SJU.)[/quote]

We're certainly the mom and pop operation we were ten years ago. An outstanding name coach could change that...but there are none out there who believe this school will ever be more than that. We should change conferences already rather than live the charade we're a Big East team. At least we'd make the NCAA's once in a while...one and done, of course, but at least we'd be there.

Cragg is in way over his head. I'm sure the lights of NYC glittered enough to con him into thinking we could be the Duke of the north. Then reality set in...and he's holding his nose (or should be) while perusing the list of candidates. Right now, he's a gentleman's "C"...not the "A" we'd hoped.

Repole hasn't changed anything in case you haven't noticed. Lavin was also fooled by the glitter and he gave it the old college try. Mullin came out of loyalty and he brought a friend with him.

To refresh your memory, names like Calipari and Pitino did come up in the old days. The small-timers wanted Norm Roberts.

You're right. We're not a top tier program right now with work to do. Who's going to do it...some guy who was never forced to make a game changing decision before?

We could be a top 25+ team every year and relevant with the right coach. Mike "I've fallen and I can't get it up" Cragg doesn't have the chops to pull this one off.[/quote]

I'm disappointed to say it looks like you will be proven correct. I honestly believed (once again) this next hire would be the one to show we're serious about becoming a top tier program. It sounds like we're headed to the MAAC, which may be where we belong.
 
Should be the fallback if Pitino does not work out. Maybe bring Titus as an assistant !
 
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