Thad Matta saved Ohio State star’s career after a DUI arrest

Former Ohio State men’s basketball player J.J. Sullinger paid tribute to former Buckeyes coach Thad Matta’s retirement by revealing that Matta once saved his career.

On March 16, Sullinger took to social media and said that former Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger wanted him removed from the team before the 2004-05 season.

“When Coach [Thad] Matta was hired … Andy Geiger told him to get rid of me if he ever wanted to be successful… (Said I was a cancer),” Sullinger wrote in an X post.

Sullinger wrote that on Sept. 4, 2004, he was pulled over for suspected driving under the influence. According to Sullinger, he was brought to jail and called Matta around 2:30 a.m. to let him know about the situation. It was the same day that Matta was to be introduced as the new Ohio State coach during the home-opening football game.

“I just knew my career at OSU was over. … We set a meeting for early that next week, Sullinger wrote on the X thread.

Sullinger said he learned about Geiger’s comments “and a bunch of other things” at the meeting with Matta. Instead of removing Sullinger from the team, Matta had three requirements for Sullinger: complete a drug/alcohol abuse program regardless of how he felt; write a handwritten apology to everyone affiliated with the program (including former players); and run five miles a day, five days a week without missing other workouts.

“Needless to say, I completed all 3 things. … Wrote over 350 hand-written apologies, and was in the best shape of my life for my Junior Season,” Sullinger wrote. “Coach [Matta] could have easily gave up on me, but he didn’t and is a big reason I’m where I’m at today!!”

“This and this alone is why I’ll always ride for him. He took a chance on me when literally everyone else was telling him not to … Lol!! I’ll say it worked out well for the both of us!!”” Sullinger continued.”

Sullinger ended up playing his junior and senior years with the Buckeyes under Matta. He averaged 10.1 points and seven rebounds per game in the 2005-06 season, when Matta led Ohio State to a Big Ten regular-season title and the program’s first March Madness bid in four years. The Buckeyes earned a No. 2 seed and made it to the second round before losing to No. 7 Georgetown.

“Proud of my guy and I really hope he enjoys retirement!!” Sullinger wrote in the thread.” He earned that [expletive]!!! I love you, Coach!! “Never get tired of preparing to win!!!”

Matta coached the Buckeyes for 13 seasons and is the winningest coach in program history. Despite retiring from coaching as Butler’s coach, he will remain with the school as special assistant to the president and athletic director.