Thad Matta likely to receive $300K raise

Thad Matta will likely be receiving a raise.

Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith announced Monday that the Ohio State basketball coach’s salary will increase to $3.2 million per year from about $2.9 million per year, pending a Board of Trustees vote.

Matta’s contract still goes until July 2019.

“We all know Thad’s done a marvelous job since he’s been our coach here of our basketball program,” Smith said in a press conference Monday.

Smith said that when he arrived at OSU in 2005, one of his goals was to help make OSU into a program that consistently competes for championships. Matta has done just that.

In his ninth year at OSU, Matta has compiled a 234-69 record, has appeared in two Final Fours and won five Big Ten titles.

The contract also includes “more stringent requirements for compliance,” an academic bonus based on his team’s performance, a car stipend, and increased flight hours on a private jet during the summer for recruiting, according to a release from the university.

Matta said the added responsibilities are not concerning.

"All the things in there are the things that I live by," Matta said.

OSU, 13-4 this season, is set to take on Iowa Tuesday night.