Thad Matta was perhaps the biggest name linked to the vacant Georgia men’s basketball job, but the former Ohio State coach is not going to be the next man leading the Bulldogs.
On Wednesday, Matta told ESPN’s Jeff Goodman that he has withdrawn his name from consideration.
Thad Matta on spurning Georgia: "It was the most difficult decision because Georgia is a tremendous opportunity for a coach to build a great program. Unfortunately, I just don’t feel that I am completely ready at this point to give Greg McGarity and Georgia what they deserve."
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) March 14, 2018
Matta, 50, was fired by Ohio State in June following a disappointing 17-15 season. He took the Buckeyes to seven straight NCAA Tournaments, reaching the Final Four and Elite Eight once, as well as two other Sweet Sixteen appearances. Prior to Ohio State, he coached Xavier for three seasons and took them to the Elite Eight.
Georgia, which fired former coach Mark Fox after he led the Bulldogs to just two NCAA Tournament appearances in nine seasons, had reportedly offered the job to Matta. The school’s search will now continue.
