Taking over Ohio State basketball during one of the program’s most difficult periods, Thad Matta says building trust – not wins – was his first priority.
Matta joined host Jim Tressel on the “It’s All About the Team” podcast to discuss arriving at Ohio State from Xavier in 2004 and leading a program through NCAA sanctions, scholarship reductions and uncertainty.
Matta explains that he inherited a team facing significant challenges but chose to focus first on culture. Rather than changing his leadership style, he says he remained authentic, led with energy and worked alongside his players to establish expectations on the court, in the classroom and in the community.
The former Buckeyes coach says successful leaders must understand their players as people. Drawing on lessons from Phil Jackson’s “Sacred Hoops,” Matta explains why empathy, accountability and trust are essential to helping individuals overcome adversity and contribute to the team’s success.
Matta also reflects on building resilient teams during difficult times, saying leaders must stay true to their values while helping players work through setbacks rather than avoiding them. He says that foundation became the key to establishing a winning culture at Ohio State.