J. J. Sullinger, a former Ohio State men’s basketball player, honored Thad Matta’s retirement by revealing that the coach had previously saved his career.
On March 16, Sullinger used social media to announce that former Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger had requested him to be dismissed from the squad before the 2004-05 season.
When Coach [Thad] Matta was appointed, Andy Geiger told him to get rid of me if he ever wanted to be successful… (Said I was a cancer), Sullinger said in an X post.
Sullinger said that he was pulled over on September 4, 2004, on suspicion of driving under the influence. Sullinger claims he was taken to jail and contacted Matta around 2:30 a. m. to notify him of the situation. Matta was scheduled to be revealed as the new Ohio State coach on the same day as the football home opener.
I knew my time at OSU was over. … We scheduled a meeting for early the following week, Sullinger stated on the X thread.
Sullinger stated that he learned about Geiger’s remarks, among other things, during a meeting with Matta. Instead than removing Sullinger from the squad, Matta set three requirements for him: complete a drug/alcohol rehabilitation program irrespective of how he felt; write a handwritten apology to everyone connected with the program (including former players); and run five miles each day, five days a week, without missing other workouts.
Needless to say, I accomplished all three goals. … Wrote over 350 handwritten apologies, and was in the finest form of my life for my Junior Season, Sullinger added. Coach [Matta] might have simply given up on me, but he did not, which is a major reason why I am where I am now!!
This, and only this, is why I will always ride for him. He gave me a chance when everyone else was telling him not to… Lol!! I’ll state that it worked out nicely for both of us!! Sullinger went on.
Sullinger played his junior and senior years as a Buckeye under Matta. In the 2005-06 season, he averaged 10. 1 points and seven rebounds per game as Matta guided Ohio State to a Big Ten regular-season championship and the program’s first March Madness appearance in four years. The Buckeyes won a No. 2 seed and progressed to the second round, where they were defeated by No. 7 Georgetown.
I’m so pleased of my man, and I really hope he enjoys retirement!! Sullinger commented in the thread. He deserved that [expletive]!!! I love you, Coach! “Never weary of preparing to win!!! “
Matta coached the Buckeyes for 13 seasons and is the winningest coach in program history. Despite stepping down from coaching as Butler’s coach, he will remain with the university as special assistant to the president and athletic director.
