In an interview this afternoon with ESPN, Thad Matta offered little solace to Ohio State fans by intimating through loud silence his interest in the Indiana job. Reminiscent of his equivocations during his final days at Xavier, when asked to comment on his much rumored interest in the IU job, Matta demurred, stating he was flattered, mumbling that he’ll assess all matters at the end of the season, and finally he claimed he was contractually prohibited from saying anything further. Contractually prohibited from what? From saying he wanted IU job. Whether he wants the IU job or not, Matta certainly could have said “I love coaching at Ohio State.” He didn’t. He didn’t even say he liked Ohio State.
Even though he’s being paid an enormous salary by Ohio State for services as its head coach, even though five of the finest recruits in the United States have committed to Ohio State to play for him, even though he coaches a Big Ten Championship team that possesses the finest facilities in the Big Ten, Matta couldn’t muster anything resembling an endorsement let alone a statement of loyalty to, or pride in, Ohio State. At his quick stops along the coaching highway, Matta has thus far pushed the right buttons but loyalty has not yet become a factor in his decision calculus.
If Matta is indeed the carpetbagger some have suggested, jitterbugging from one job to another, Butler to Xavier to Ohio State to Indiana, then let him go. Ohio State should cut him loose now and move on. Find someone loyal, cast from the same iron as Tom Izzo, Bo Ryan, Gene Keady, Bruce Weber. Find someone who really wants to coach Ohio State. With near unlimited resources, Ohio State is a destination job, not a drive through teller where a coach fills up his bank account on the way to the next ATM. Perhaps Matta’s hedging his bets on the eve of the NCAA’s decision on whether to penalize Ohio State for various allegations of rules violations. Nevertheless, it’d be nice for Matta to publicly recognize and express some appreciation for the Big Ten job he currently holds, the one at Ohio State.
