2026 Coaching Carousel

[swoopem]

Seems like Butler is going after former player Ronald Nored. He's currently an assist with the Hawks

[GoldenWarrior11]

Seems like Butler is going after former player Ronald Nored. He's currently an assist with the Hawks

The last time Nored was recruiting a player to a college program, Henry Ellenson was our leading scorer. 

Butler doesn't need a coach with NBA assistant coaching experience.  It needs someone that can recruit high-level Big East players and attract talent through the portal (which hopefully leads to them winning more games than the past four seasons).

[Tarragona]

This will he Butler's 5th Head Coach in 14 seasons, since joining the Big East Conference.

[Billy Hoyle]

This will he Butler's 5th Head Coach in 14 seasons, since joining the Big East Conference.

Stevens - 1 year went to the NBA
Holtmann - 3 years, went to Ohio State
Jordan - 5 years - fired
Matta - 5 years, "retired"

Brandon Miller was a weird situation. He coached one year before he had a mental breakdown and hasn't coached again.

[MarquetteMike1977]

Tobin Anderson New Coach of the Golden Eagles.

Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles that is.

[JWags85]

Horizon.

No I know, I kind of jumbled 2 points.  Just saying that back when Stevens took over, Butler was a very good program, albeit in a terrible conference (Horizon) that wouldn't have been able to poach a coach from a better mid major conference at the time (MAC) even with their success.  But now, as a result of Stevens they've elevated conferences and their program in general that they could fairly easily.

[JWags85]

Tobin Anderson New Coach of the Golden Eagles.

Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles that is.

While Anderson got completely screwed by Iona, hes's a fantastic coach who was obviously gonna get another gig.  That being said...what an odd fit.  Spent the last 35 years coaching and recruiting in the Northeast and now ends up in Cookeville, TN coaching in the SoCon.

[K1 Lover]

https://x.com/coachbrucepearl/status/2033695994513395847?s=46

Bruce Pearl is out here getting fooled by fake news accounts. Lol

Edit:
 
Pearl deleted the tweet. He originally replied to a post claiming that Miami-OH coach, Travis Steele, had been hired as the next coach at Butler, Steele's alma mater.

[The Equalizer]

Horizon.

Butler was already in the A10 by the time they joined the Big East. 

[JWags85]

Brandon Miller was a weird situation. He coached one year before he had a mental breakdown and hasn't coached again.

Looking back, even before his mental breakdown, that was a TERRIBLE hire and a bizarre choice outside of just Butler's preferred in-house continuity at the time.  He was only 34 and less than 2 years before quit coaching when he was at OSU to focus on his family.  Then he came back as a special assistant to Groce at Illinois, not even a full/proper assistant, for a season.  Then had just came back Butler 3 months earlier to work under Stevens and got the big chair.

In retrospect, I think Butler probably panicked a bit cause Matthew Graves (now the coach at Indiana State) was likely the succession choice but he took that job at South Alabama a few months before and Miller was hired to replace him as an assistant.  Thought that probably wouldn't have worked either as Graves stunk at USA and has had a rough start at ISU as well.
 
Also, this has to be it for Matta as a HC, right?  Its kind of crazy that he's still youngish (58) cause he's been a top level coach for 25+ years.  But he stepped down at OSU at 50 cause of health issues and clearly wasn't close to the same coach the last few years at Butler.  He made plenty of money at OSU and was well paid at Butler this time around.  Keep the cushy 6 figure gig in the athletic department at Butler, stay around the program/university you love, and focus on his health.

[The Sultan]

Butler was already in the A10 by the time they joined the Big East. 

For one season.

[The Sultan]

Looking back, even before his mental breakdown, that was a TERRIBLE hire and a bizarre choice outside of just Butler's preferred in-house continuity at the time.  He was only 34 and less than 2 years before quit coaching when he was at OSU to focus on his family.  Then he came back as a special assistant to Groce at Illinois, not even a full/proper assistant, for a season.  Then had just came back Butler 3 months earlier to work under Stevens and got the big chair.

In retrospect, I think Butler probably panicked a bit cause Matthew Graves (now the coach at Indiana State) was likely the succession choice but he took that job at South Alabama a few months before and Miller was hired to replace him as an assistant.  Thought that probably wouldn't have worked either as Graves stunk at USA and has had a rough start at ISU as well.
 
Also, this has to be it for Matta as a HC, right?  Its kind of crazy that he's still youngish (58) cause he's been a top level coach for 25+ years.  But he stepped down at OSU at 50 cause of health issues and clearly wasn't close to the same coach the last few years at Butler.  He made plenty of money at OSU and was well paid at Butler this time around.  Keep the cushy 6 figure gig in the athletic department at Butler, stay around the program/university you love, and focus on his health.

Well, I think something had been brewing behind the scenes as well. They made that lukewarm "he's returning" statement last week, only to have him retire this week. I think Billy might be right that some of the boosters are getting a little tired of the "Butler guy needs to run this program" point of view.

[swoopem]

I would think there's a Purdue assistant that would be worth looking at if I were Butler. There's gotta be someone with ties to Indy and who clearly comes from a good program

[JWags85]

I would think there's a Purdue assistant that would be worth looking at if I were Butler. There's gotta be someone with ties to Indy and who clearly comes from a good program

I don't know if you're directly referring to it, but Painter's second lead assistant is Terry Johnson who was with Stevens and Holtmann at Butler for a decade and then with Holtmann at OSU until he joined Painter.  Though, it feels like he kind of has career assistant vibes.

[MUDPT]

I don't know if you're directly referring to it, but Painter's second lead assistant is Terry Johnson who was with Stevens and Holtmann at Butler for a decade and then with Holtmann at OSU until he joined Painter.  Though, it feels like he kind of has career assistant vibes.

Don't know why they would want Lusk, who's an awesome guy, but had a chance at Missouri State. Maybe PJ Thompson, who's their "offensive coordinator" and I think is from Indy.

[Pakuni]

https://x.com/GoodmanHoops/status/2034047734630519174?s=20

[Hards Alumni]

Consider that Butler is going to have a rough time hiring someone they want because it is kind of a crap job.

[Tarragona]

I like the Belmont hire. Not a surprise that was likely going to be Evan Bradds or Mick Hedgepeth. Solid.

[Billy Hoyle]

Consider that Butler is going to have a rough time hiring someone they want because it is kind of a crap job.

The issue isn't Butler getting someone they want, it's who they want - someone with Butler ties. Wardle's name has been mentioned for a few years. If they wanted Wardle, they could probably get him, but the whole "Butler Way" stuff (shoved down peoples thoats more than RVG) demands it be someone who went to or previously coached for a significant period of time at Butler.

[SchnitzelBoy]

I can't imagine Miami's Travis Steele isn't getting calls from Butler's AD. He had a tough go of it at Xavier, but the past few years in the MAC will have him more prepared.

Not sure how big the jump is from NBA assistant to college HC but I probably wouldn't want Marquette to go that route if they needed a new coach.

[Billy Hoyle]

I can't imagine Miami's Travis Steele isn't getting calls from Butler's AD. He had a tough go of it at Xavier, but the past few years in the MAC will have him more prepared.

Not sure how big the jump is from NBA assistant to college HC but I probably wouldn't want Marquette to go that route if they needed a new coach.

I'm sure Steele is Butler's top choice.

The NBA assistant to college HC path has worked out for BYU and Florida State. Young hadn't coached in college for 15 years.

[Pakuni]

https://x.com/On3/status/2034976142004834544?s=20

[Billy Hoyle]

https://x.com/On3/status/2034976142004834544?s=20

very good hire for Tech.

[The Sultan]

very good hire for Tech.

Is it? I have no idea. He seems to have the typical mid-major resume, which fails as often as it succeeds.

[Scoop Snoop]

No surprise, but there is speculation as to whether UNC will thank Hubert Davis for his service and wish him well in his future ventures. With UNC's history and program, I think there is a good chance that UNC will decide after that yesterday's meltdown, they need a new coach.