Ohio State AD Says Thad Matta Can Talk to Kentucky

If Kentucky really wants to shake things up in the college basketball world when it replaces Tubby Smith, here's a name: Thad Matta. Although he's obviously got more important things on his mind right now, Matta's boss, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith, said he will grant permission for Kentucky to speak with Matta if Kentucky asks for it.

Matta said exactly what every coach always says when asked if he wants to seek another job:

''That thought has honestly never crossed my mind,'' Matta said. ''I haven't had time, to be honest. But, no.''

Sounds a lot like what Matta said before he left Xavier for Ohio State. Matta still has nine years (!) left on his Ohio State contract at more than $2 million a year, but show me a college coach's contract and I'll show you a document that has about as much chance of being enforced as Anna Nicole Smith's husband's will.

Although Matta has done a great job turning Ohio State into a top-notch program, make no mistake: If you're a basketball coach, the Kentucky job is a better job. If Kentucky can entice a coach to leave the New York Knicks, it can entice a coach to leave Ohio State.

We're getting way ahead of ourselves, of course -- Kentucky hasn't started interviewing candidates, and Matta has at least one and maybe three more games to think about -- but Matta leaving for Kentucky sounds entirely plausible.

Previously at FanHouse:
How Nuts are the Expectations at Kentucky?
Why Did Tubby Smith Choose Minnesota?
Who Will Succeed Tubby Smith at Kentucky? Pt. I
Who Will Succeed Tubby Smith at Kentucky? Pt. II
Who Will Succeed Tubby Smith at Kentucky? Pt. III

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