Re: Matta to tOSU

[mark_inzetta]

Matta would take the job for the big time money and exposure. Things he might never get at X. Plus look at the kind of money he would have available at tosu to give to recruits! (wink)

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----- Original Message -----
From: Michael W Pickens address@hidden
Sent: 07/07/2004 07:35 AM
To: address@hidden
Subject: [UC Basketball] Matta to tOSU

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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