Report: Thad Matta is ‘overwhelming favorite’ for UNLV job

Thad Matta may be ready to get back into coaching.

According to Aaron Torres of The Athletic, Matta is regarded as the “overwhelming favorite” for the UNLV job that came available after the firing of Marvin Menzies. Rick Pitino, who has denied interest in the job previously, is “not a factor.”

Have asked a bunch of people about the UNLV job since it opened yesterday. Consensus is Thad Matta is the overwhelming favorite. Dont know if he will take it, but its likely his if he wants it. And no, Rick Pitino is not a real option there, as entertaining as it might be

— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) March 16, 2019

Matta quit Ohio State in 2017, citing health issues that were making it harder for him to coach at a high level. The last time he was linked to a high-level job, he turned down the opportunity, saying he wasn’t ready yet to return to coaching. If Matta takes this opportunity, he’s clearly feeling better and thinks he’s prepared for the demands of an NCAA coaching job once more.