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Report: Former Ohio State basketball coach a ‘top candidate’ for CBB vacancy
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A former Ohio State head basketball coach could soon be making a return to the sidelines.
On Tuesday night, it was reported that Wichita State and head coach Gregg Marshall would be “parting ways,” after the school launched an investigation into his conduct with current and former players within the program. Now that the job is vacant, there’s one name being floated around as a strong replacement.
Per Seth Davis of The Athletic, former Buckeyes hoops leader Thad Matta is expected to be a top candidate for the job.
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
Matta stepped down from Ohio State after the 2016-17 season in Columbus. He was the head coach of the Buckeyes from 2004-17 and compiled a record of 337-123 in 13 seasons. His teams played in 11 postseasons, included 9 NCAA Tournament appearances.
The Buckeyes appeared in the college basketball national championship game in 2007 and appeared in the Final Four once more in 2012. Ohio State won 5 B1G regular season titles under Matta and 4 B1G Tournament championships.
Matta does have plenty of experience at the mid-major level. Before taking over at Ohio State, Matta was the head coach at Butler for the 2000-01 season and then took the job at Xavier from 2001-04. He led the Bulldogs and Musketeers to tournament appearances in all four seasons at that level.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB