Matta to tOSU

[Michael W Pickens]

Is everyone sleeping at BearcatNews right now.  I hate this time of year. 
Very little news and it we get some it is usually bad.  Why would Matta 
even think of taking the tOSU job?




ESPN.com news services
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Xavier's Thad Matta will interview with Ohio State on 
Wednesday morning, making him the favorite to land the job, multiple 
sources told ESPN.com.


Matta follows Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings and Rice coach Willis 
Wilson, who interviewed Tuesday in Columbus. 


Matta's decision to interview is a reversal of previous public statements. 
Two weeks ago, the coach told ESPN.com and the Cincinnati Enquirer that he 
was not a candidate and that he would remain at Xavier, where he has a 
contract through 2013.


He has coached Xavier for three seasons. The Musketeers reached the Elite 
Eight in March, where they lost to Duke. Matta coached Butler for one 
season before replacing Skip Prosser at Xavier. 


Matta was seen as a favorite by many when Jim O'Brien was fired June 8 but 
appeared to take himself out of the running. Matta's reversal, sources 
told ESPN.com's Andy Katz, stunned the Xavier administration.


If Matta is offered and accepts the Ohio State job, assistant Sean Miller 
will take over Xavier. 


The Tuesday interviews were the the second for Stallings and Wilson.


Pennsylvania coach Fran Dunphy and Los Angeles Lakers assistant Jim 
Cleamons have also met with Ohio State officials, including Buckeyes 
athletic director Andy Geiger, off campus.


Wilson first interviewed with Geiger June 29 in Texas; Stallings 
interviewed June 30 in Nashville.


"We're in the same position that we have been," Ohio State sports 
information director Steve Snapp said. "We will not comment on any aspect 
of the search until it's over."

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