Butler- Jordan Fired- and Thad Matta Hired!

[butlerguy03]

A couple of sources of Information if you would like some reading and listening today:

Free (usually behind a paywall) story from Lukas Harkins, one of the best sources and writers for Butler basketball: https://www.patreon.com/posts/63830375

Free (sometimes behind a paywall) podcast from Derek Schultz with John Fanta - includes Villanova/Final Four talk and Butler talk pre-firing. https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2021/06/07/schultzs-star-podcast/7586463002/

[Hall2012]

so of the 7 schools who finished 5 through 11 this year-
3 will have new coaches next year(Seton Hall, Xavier, Butler)
2 will have 2nd year coaches next year(Marquette, DePaul)
St Johns
Georgetown

crazy turnover.

The team that needed a change the most kept their coach

pretty much. And some on here would say that the 2nd team that most needed a change also kept their coach.

I'd heard rumors that if there's 1 job Rick Pitino would be interested in leaving Iona for - it's St. John's. I mean the league already added Sean Miller, why not give Pitino a 2nd chance too?

[ecasadoSBU]

the stability at st. John's and Georgetown says those marquee programs are content with mediocrity. The Midwest leg of the Big East is not playing games!

[Omaha1]

I liked Jordan. Butler usually gave us headaches.

Rough way to treat one of your own.

[Wizard of Westroads]

I liked Jordan. Butler usually gave us headaches.

Rough way to treat one of your own.

Agree, they were looking at a 5 seed before Covid canceled the tournament 2 years ago and were besieged by injuries the last couple of years. I would have given him another year, unless there's more to the story than W/L.

Jordan's teams were always well-coached, and he had a good young core returning. Guess not now, with Luko kicking off the exodus.

[stever20]

wonder if some of it is his contract was set to expire looking at it after the 22-23 season and Butler didn't want to extend him or have him on a lame duck season status.

[butlerguy03]

wonder if some of it is his contract was set to expire looking at it after the 22-23 season and Butler didn't want to extend him or have him on a lame duck season status.

Contract ended after next year. It was either extend him or let him go. Lame duck year is likely one reason why the recruiting class was horrendous for next season.

Also, this idea that Butler did LJ wrong is misleading. It's obvious that some of the staff had been recruiting as late as a few days ago, but LJ hasn't really been seen recruiting for awhile now. My guess is he has been talking to others and was told if he doesn't agree to a smaller buy-out, then he can look while we wait it out. The April 1 date was sort of known throughout the Butler community.

Finally, the announcement did not include the assistant coaches. I wouldn't be surprised if Ragland continued, Kampen is known as a favorite of Collier. So who knows?

Luko is a gigantic loss, but it's not like they were winning, so losing anyone is ok I guess. It would hurt more in a Murray State situation.

[XUFan09]

Jordan just didn't bring in enough Big East talent. I know they've had injuries, but they didn't even finish top 100 the last two years, and it was all "his guys" by this point.

[stever20]

wonder if some of it is his contract was set to expire looking at it after the 22-23 season and Butler didn't want to extend him or have him on a lame duck season status.

Contract ended after next year. It was either extend him or let him go. Lame duck year is likely one reason why the recruiting class was horrendous for next season.

Also, this idea that Butler did LJ wrong is misleading. It's obvious that some of the staff had been recruiting as late as a few days ago, but LJ hasn't really been seen recruiting for awhile now. My guess is he has been talking to others and was told if he doesn't agree to a smaller buy-out, then he can look while we wait it out. The April 1 date was sort of known throughout the Butler community.

Finally, the announcement did not include the assistant coaches. I wouldn't be surprised if Ragland continued, Kampen is known as a favorite of Collier. So who knows?

Luko is a gigantic loss, but it's not like they were winning, so losing anyone is ok I guess. It would hurt more in a Murray State situation.

Completely agree with you on Butler not doing LJ wrong. It's a business Jeff Goodman.

[kayako]

I'd heard rumors that if there's 1 job Rick Pitino would be interested in leaving Iona for - it's St. John's. I mean the league already added Sean Miller, why not give Pitino a 2nd chance too?

All they had to do was waive the buyout and Anderson might have gone to Tulsa on his own accord.