Thad Matta reportedly set to hire two former Ohio State greats at Butler

Former Ohio State basketball head coach Thad Matta is already pulling guys from his time on the banks of the Olentangy. As first reported by David Woods of the Indy Star, Matta is all set to add Buckeye greats Greg Oden and Jon Diebler to his staff.

The two need no introduction for OSU fans. Oden burst onto the scene as a freshman as the most coveted big-man coming out of high school and quickly made good on that promise, nearly helping lead Ohio State to a national title during the 2006-2007 season. Injuries derailed his NBA aspirations, but he eventually found his way back to Ohio State on Chris Holtmann’s staff as a graduate assistant last season.

Diebler is still the program’s all-time leader when it comes to three-point baskets made and left as the best all-time in the Big Ten (since surpassed by Jordan Bohannon of Iowa). He too competed on some of the best teams Matta ever ran out on the court from 2007 to 2011. He was a late NBA draft pick but never elbowed his way in the league, instead enjoying a long career overseas. This will be his first foray into the official coaching ranks.

There has been no formal announcement on what roles the two will have on Matta’s staff, but it will more than likely be in a support role since his three full-time assistant positions have already been filled by Mike Pegues, Kevin Kuwik, and David Ragland.

List

All of Thad Matta’s NBA draft picks while at Ohio State

Thad Matta: Ohio State basketball players he sent to the NBA draft