Thad Matta out after 13 seasons at Ohio State

Thad Matta is out as the Ohio State head basketball coach after 13 seasons, the university announced Monday.

Matta reportedly wanted to keep coaching the Buckeyes, but athletic director Gene Smith said a change was needed after discussing the situation with the coach.

'I felt comfortable after the season when I sat down with Thad that we had a plan. Recruiting is a major part of it, and we weren't winning the recruiting battles,” Smith said. 'As we started talking about it Friday, the flow of the conversation took me to the realization as I said to him, ‘This might be the time to make a leadership change,' and he agreed.”

The Buckeyes missed the NCAA Tournament last season after finishing 17-15. It was Matta's first Ohio State team not to win at least 20 games.

Matta's Ohio State teams reached the Final Four in 2007 and 2012. He won five Big Ten regular-season titles and four Big Ten tournament titles.

Matta won 337 games with the Buckeyes and has a 439-154 overall coaching record at Ohio State, Xavier and Butler.

Matta previously underwent emergency back surgery in 2007 that left him without a fully functioning right foot due to nerve damage.

At a news conference Monday, Matta mentioned 'trying to get healthy” as one reason for leaving the job.

Smith said Ohio State will honor the three remaining years on Matta's contract. The school paid a $650,000 bonus on April 30 as part of that contract.

Smith said the Buckeyes will conduct a national search for their next coach.

'While this may be a surprise to many, it's the right thing for our program at this time,” Smith said.