Ohio State Buckeyes Coach Thad Matta: The Man

When you hail from Hoopeston, Illinois, population 5,602—the"Sweetcorn Capital of the World"—you have to know a little bit about basketball. Thad Matta knows more than a little bit about basketball. I sense that Thad Matta knows a little bit about life too.

His Buckeye "hoopsters" are riding a high tide of impenetrable success into a conference clash with the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday. Thad and his team are ready! They have proved to be ready all season long.

Thad is not just an ordinary coach. He's a "cut above the rest." I had the privilege of being on a media teleconference call with Coach Matta today. Like his team, he was poised and in complete control. He handled the media impressively. Any good team is a reflection of their coach. The Buckeyes reflect Thad Matta admirably.

During the teleconference call a male reporter cut off a female reporter and Coach Matta let him know it. That's how Thad Matta "rolls." That's how he does it. He is considerate of others. His team certainly reflects that. As teammates, they show consideration for one another. That's what good coaching is all about. You must lead by example. I'm very impressed with Matta, the man.

I posed a question to Matta: "How is it that this team appears to have no jealousy, no envy and no selfishness? And have you ever been around a group of kids quite like this?" 

Coach Matta replied, "I attribute this to their upbringing and their families. All of these kids come from good homes and they've been taught well. I don't know if I've ever been around a group quite like this."

Hats off to the parents of Buckeye basketball.

I also couldn't help but ask if his team had thought about their accomplishments and what they were achieving.  " Do you think about what you might accomplish? Have you and the Buckeyes thought about basketball immortality?" 

He paused for a moment and thought. "No, I haven't," he said. "We play Wisconsin Saturday. We follow that up with Michigan State and Purdue. That keeps me humble." 

Needless to say. That's exactly what I expected a gentleman from Hoopeston, Illinois to say. If you were to ask Jon Diebler and David Lighty the same question, I'd bet you'd get the same response.

Thad and his Buckeyes are humble. They are as grounded as the fertile soil around Hoopeston, Illinois. It is so refreshing to see that. To witness a team that has a quiet confidence and a gentleman's "swagger" is so different in sports. This is an awesome thing to witness and be a part of.

It was truly a privilege to meet with Coach Matta, THE MAN, via teleconference.