Butler Basketball Coaching Search Intensifies as Final Candidates Surface Butler University’s search for its next men’s basketball head coach has entered its second week without a clear resolution, as the school continues to evaluate potential candidates. Thad Matta’s abrupt resignation last month left the program without a leader, and with the coaching carousel in full motion across college basketball, the Bulldogs remain in the process of selecting their next head coach. According to a source close to the university, the search, led by athletic director Grant Leiendecker, is nearing its final stages, with a decision expected to be made by mid-to-late this week. Multiple names have emerged as serious contenders, though the process has been marked by uncertainty and competing interests. John Groce, the current head coach at Akron, has garnered support from at least one prominent figure within Butler’s inner circle. Groce, a Muncie native and former Butler assistant under Matta during the 2000-01 season, has a deep connection to the program. His coaching career includes stints at Xavier, Ohio State, and Akron, where he has compiled a 197-94 record in nine seasons. This season, Groce guided Akron to its third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, marking the program’s fourth such berth in five years. Ronald Nored, an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks, is another name under consideration. Nored’s relationship with Leiendecker, who played alongside him at Butler during the school’s back-to-back national championship runner-up campaigns in 2010 and 2011, is seen as a key factor in his favor. While Nored lacks head-coaching experience, his familiarity with the program and its culture could be a significant advantage for Leiendecker, who is navigating his first head-coaching search.#john_groce #grant_leiendecker #ronald_nored #butler_university #micah_shrewsberry
Butler hires Ronald Nored as next men's basketball coach Butler University officially announced on March 25 that Ronald Nored will serve as its new men’s basketball coach, succeeding Thad Matta after his retirement following the 2025-26 season. Nored, 36, will become the 25th head coach in the program’s history, marking the first hire under athletic director Grant Leiendecker, who assumed the role in December 2024. Nored’s appointment was highlighted by his deep ties to the university, including his playing career at Butler. The former player and assistant coach joined the program as a student-athlete, contributing to Butler’s back-to-back national championship runner-up campaigns in 2010 and 2011. His relationship with Leiendecker, a fellow former player, played a significant role in the decision, as Nored was the only candidate without prior college head-coaching experience. Despite this, his familiarity with the program and its culture was seen as a key asset. In a statement, Nored expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity, calling it “an incredibly special place” and emphasizing his commitment to the program’s legacy. He praised the university’s “storied tradition,” the Hinkle Fieldhouse, and the Big East conference, while acknowledging the challenges ahead. “There is incredible momentum at Butler right now,” he said, vowing to “hit the ground running” as the team aims to elevate its performance. Leiendecker praised Nored’s leadership qualities, noting his “relentless work ethic” and “elite basketball IQ.” The AD emphasized that Nored’s NBA experience would provide a competitive edge in the evolving college basketball landscape. “We didn’t hire him for his history here—we hired him for his vision of what we can become,” Leiendecker stated.#big_east_conference #grant_leiendecker #ronald_nored #butler_university #hinkle_fieldhouse
Butler Hires Former Alum Ronald Nored as New Men’s Basketball Coach Butler University has announced the hiring of Ronald Nored as its next men’s basketball coach, marking a return to its roots by bringing in a former player with deep ties to the program. Nored, a 36-year-old former point guard who played for the Bulldogs under head coach Brad Stevens from 2008 to 2012, will replace Thad Matta, who recently retired. The decision was confirmed by sources, with a formal announcement expected later on Wednesday. Nored, who has spent the majority of his post-playing career in the NBA, will take over a program that has seen increased financial investment, including projected revenue sharing and NIL funding exceeding $9 million for the 2026-27 season. Nored’s coaching journey began shortly after his playing days, starting with the Maine Red Claws, the Celtics’ G League affiliate, in 2013. He later joined the Boston Celtics for a season before moving to Northern Kentucky and then the Long Island Nets, where he served as head coach from 2016 to 2018. Since 2018, he has worked as an assistant for the Charlotte Hornets, Indiana Pacers, and Atlanta Hawks. His NBA experience has provided him with valuable insights into high-level basketball operations, which he will now apply to the collegiate level. As a player, Nored was a key contributor to Butler’s success, serving as the starting point guard on two teams that reached the NCAA tournament’s national championship game in 2010 and 2011. During his time at Butler, he expressed a clear interest in coaching, a path that has now come to fruition. The hiring of Nored aligns with Butler’s tradition of hiring individuals with strong connections to the university, continuing a lineage that includes previous coaches like Stevens and Matta.#brad_stevens #big_east_conference #thad_matta #ronald_nored #butler_university
Butler Basketball Coach Thad Matta Announces Retirement Thad Matta, the head coach of the Butler University Bulldogs, has announced his retirement from collegiate coaching after more than two decades of leading Division I programs. The decision comes after Matta completed his fourth season in his second stint as Butler’s head coach, marking the end of a storied career that spanned multiple schools and levels of competition. Matta will remain affiliated with the university as a special assistant to the president and athletic director, continuing to support the institution in a new capacity. In a statement, Matta reflected on his decision, stating, “After taking some time to reflect following the end of the season, I have decided that the time has come for me to step away from the sidelines.” He emphasized his deep connection to Butler, noting that his family’s love for the university brought him back to the program four years ago. “Butler has always meant more to us than just basketball,” he said, adding that his commitment to the school and its future remains unwavering. Matta expressed excitement about the program’s continued growth and its potential to compete at the highest levels of the Big East and nationally. Matta’s career record stands at 502 wins and 223 losses, with 13 appearances in the NCAA tournament. His tenure at Butler, which includes two separate stints as head coach, was highlighted by a 24-8 season in 2000-01 and a second-round NCAA tournament run. Before returning to Butler, Matta built a reputation as one of the most consistent coaches in college basketball during his time at Xavier and Ohio State. At Xavier, he led the Musketeers to three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight run in 2004.#big_east #butler_bulldogs #thad_matta #grant_leiendecker #butler_university
