Thad Matta and his wife, Barbara Matta, have been together ever since the early 1990s. Together, the couple share two kids, both daughters, who are now grown-ups.
The American college basketball coach is undoubtedly in love with his profession as much as he loves his wife. Clearly, Barbara understands his passion & has been through his ups and downs all these years.
No wonder, the duo shares a happy married life of 28 years.
Thad Michael Matta, a native of Illinois, currently serves as the head coach of his alma mater, Butler University (2022- present). He came as a replacement for LaVall Jordan.
It’s his second stint at the college’s basketball program, having served in the 2000-01 season.
Also, he has held head coach positions at Xavier Musketeers (2001-04) and Ohio State Buckeyes (2004-17).
Throughout his career, he has coached then-future NBA players like Greg Oden, Mike Conley, and Evan Turner.
Matta brings a coaching experience of more than three decades, with the climb from assistant to head coach.
Thad, himself, was a collegiate player at Southern Illinois and Butler, however, back injuries robbed him of his playing career. As a result, he channeled his passion into coaching.
Thad Matta Wife: Who Is Barbara Matta? Age & Wikipedia
The former Ohio State coach’s wife, Baraba Matta (nee Britton), is a Woodbury, New Jersey raised, who is currently a homemaker.
Born in October 1970, Barbara is 54 years old as of 2024. She is four years younger than her husband, Thad, born on July 11, 1967, aged 57 now.
Unlike her well-recognized coach spouse, she doesn’t have Wikipedia. She has a Facebook account (@arbara.matta.31) but has not been active recently.
As reported, Barbara and her husband, Thad, are graduates of Butler University. However, it was after Matta’s college years that he met her.
According to an article in the NY Times in March 2010, both of their fathers were athletic directors.
In a turn of events, the connection to athleticism led to their first encounter at Hinkle Field House in 1993.
They reportedly had their first date at a local bar, the Bulldog, where they ate pizza and breadsticks. She told him that she wouldn’t move with him unless they were married.
So, after dating for three years, the couple married in August 1996, at the Cullowhee United Methodist Church in North Carolina.
They exchanged vows after 11 days of engagement.
At that time, Thad had just landed as an assistant coach (in 1995) at Western Carolina under head coach Frankie King.
On the other, Barbara worked as a teacher & taught in sixth grade. She was reportedly earning $20,000, while her partner was bringing in $30,000 per month. Mrs. Matta recalls that moment as “hog heaven.”
What Does Thad’s Wife Do Now?
Barbara Matta left her teaching profession to travel & support her beau as a coach’s wife.
Aside from being her spouse’s support system, she is a charity worker & engages in social causes. She le
She is a board member of A Kid Again, which focuses on providing support to children with life-threatening conditions and their families.
Moreover, she has associations with other organizations like Reach Out and Read, Ronald McDonald House, Buckeye Ranch, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Girl Scouts.
Thad Matta And Barbara Share Two Daughters
The Butler Bulldogs coach Thad Matt is the father of two grown-up daughters, Ali and Emily Matta, with his wife, Barbara.
Both of their daughters are alums of their alma mater, Butler University.
Ali Matta, the eldest daughter, born in 1999, now works as a manager of marketing & operations at Complete Sports Management.
She managed events for the Bahamas Bowl and the first Crossover Classic tournament. Before working with CS Management, she lived in Barcelona, Spain.
Thad and Barbara’s youngest daughter, Emily, born in 2001, obtained her degree in Strategic communication (PR and Advertising in 2023.
According to her LinkedIn profile, she works as a creative assistant at Brown Capital Group (August 2023- present).
Previously, she was a part-time social media & hotel receptionist at Hotel Broad Ripple.