Kristian Ferrell
Butler basketball, also known as the Butler Bulldogs, has undergone several changes in recent years, including the firing of head coach LaVall Jordan in 2022 and the return of coach Thad Matta, who had previously parted ways with the team in 2017. The team has also experienced significant player turnover, with eight players transferring out in a single offseason and a near-total roster makeover in 2023. Despite these challenges, the Bulldogs have had notable successes, such as forward Jahmyl Telfort beginning his professional career and the addition of top players like Michael Ajayi and Jalen Jackson.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Butler basketball coach | Thad Matta |
| Previous Butler coach | LaVall Jordan |
| Butler's most important team transfer for 2025-26 | Michael Ajayi |
| Butler forward to begin pro career | Jahmyl Telfort |
| Butler's Class of 2024 commit | Evan Haywood |
| Butler player who scored 22 points against the Utah Utes | Pierre Brooks |
| Butler player who scored 27 points against the Butler Bulldogs | Javan Buchanan |
| Player transferring to Butler | Jalen Jackson |
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What You'll Learn
Roster turnover
One notable departure from the Butler Bulldogs is forward Jahmyl Telfort, who began his professional career with the Portsmouth Invitational, showcasing his skills for scouts. Another key player who transferred out is Coles, who joined the TCU Horned Frogs after being convinced by his summer basketball teammate, Mike Miles Jr. Coles averaged 8.6 points and 4.0 rebounds during his time at Butler and played a crucial role in TCU's victory over Arizona State in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
Additionally, Battle transferred to Arkansas for the 2023-24 season after a knee injury and personal issues interrupted his time at Butler. He averaged 11 minutes off the bench during his single season with the Bulldogs but became a significant bench player for Temple, averaging 17.8 points per game over three seasons. Another notable transfer is Brown, who played for Butler under coach Brandon Miller, averaging 6.8 points per game off the bench. Brown went on to excel at New Mexico, earning All-Mountain West honours during his time there.
On the other hand, Butler has also gained several talented players through the transfer portal. One of the most notable additions is Michael Ajayi, who committed to the team in 2023. Ajayi previously played for Pepperdine and Gonzaga and is expected to boost Butler's competitive output, which sits between Pepperdine and Gonzaga. Before joining Gonzaga, Ajayi averaged 17.2 points and 9.9 rebounds per game at Pepperdine.
Another key addition to the Butler Bulldogs is Jalen Jackson, a transfer from Purdue-Fort Wayne. Jackson, a First Team All-Horizon League guard, averaged impressive numbers in his previous season, including 19.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.6 steals across 31 games. With his outstanding performance, Jackson is poised to earn significant playing time and contribute to the team's competitiveness in the Big East.
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Thad Matta's return
His return to Butler, dubbed "Thad Matta 2.0," was met with challenges. In his first season back, the team went 14-18, a stark contrast to his previous winning records. However, Matta remained committed and retooled the roster, leading to a significant improvement in the following season. The Bulldogs went 15-8, with notable wins against Marquette, Creighton, Texas Tech, California, and Villanova.
Matta's return to coaching after a four-year hiatus was driven by his passion for the sport and a desire to prove himself again. According to Jeff Boals, the Ohio University coach and longtime Matta assistant, Matta's pride and love for the game fueled his comeback. Matta himself attributed his satisfaction to the team's improvement and his focus on coaching rather than external opinions.
The 2023-2024 season, Matta's second year back at Butler, concluded with an 18-15 record. While the season had its ups and downs, it demonstrated Matta's ability to adapt and revitalize the program. With a near-total roster makeover the previous year, Matta aimed to stabilize the team and reduce turnover in the upcoming season.
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LaVall Jordan's firing
Athletic director Barry Collier, who recruited Jordan as a player, coached him, and later hired him as the school's first Black head basketball coach, made the decision to terminate Jordan's contract. Collier stated, "After a thorough evaluation, I have come to the decision that a change in the leadership of our men's basketball program is needed. These decisions are never easy, but they are incredibly more difficult when they impact a high-character Bulldog who has represented our university so well for many years."
Jordan's tenure at Butler began in 2017, and in his first season, he led the Bulldogs to the NCAA tournament, winning 21 games and defeating Arkansas in the first round. However, the team's performance declined, and in the 2021-22 season, they struggled with a lack of collective experience and an extraordinary number of injuries. The Bulldogs finished with a 4-6 record at home in the Big East, matching their worst record since 2014.
Jordan's firing sparked discussions about the future of the basketball program at Butler. The university had to decide whether to hire from within or look outside for a new coach. Additionally, there were concerns about retaining players in the transfer portal era and addressing the team's need for size. The handling of Jordan's dismissal was criticized as botched, and the university faced criticism from alumni and fans unhappy with the decline of the men's basketball program.
Jordan's impact on Butler extended beyond his coaching tenure. As a player, he competed for the Bulldogs from 1997 to 2001, accumulating 91 victories and becoming the winningest Bulldog at the time. He was also an MVP of the Midwestern Collegiate Conference tournament in 2001 and played a pivotal role in achieving the team's first NCAA tourney victory in 39 years. Following his playing career, Jordan embarked on a coaching journey, serving as an assistant coach at Butler, Iowa, and Michigan.
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Player transfers
Butler Basketball has seen a lot of player transfers in recent years, with a near-total roster makeover from the transfer portal in 2023. The team had an 18-15 season under second-year coach Thad Matta, who returned to Butler in 2022.
Some notable transfers include:
Jalen Thomas and John-Michael Mulloy: Both players have exhausted their eligibility, and their time with the Bulldogs has come to an end.
Brebeuf Jesuit's Evan Haywood: Haywood is the Bulldogs' only Class of 2024 commit. He made his first start for the team in a game against the Utah Utes, showcasing his skills as a 3-point threat.
Colt Langdon: Langdon reclassified to 2024 and will join the Bulldogs for the upcoming season.
Michael Ajayi: Ajayi committed to Butler, transferring from Pepperdine, where he averaged 17.2 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. At Butler, he hopes to increase his competitive output and raise his PPG.
Jalen Jackson: Jackson is transferring to Butler from Purdue-Fort Wayne. As a First Team All-Horizon League guard, he is expected to get meaningful playing time and contribute to the team's performance in the Big East.
DJ Davis: Davis, a senior, entered the transfer portal after the 2023 season. During his time at Butler, he averaged 11.1 points, 4.9 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 steals.
In addition to these players, several others have also entered the transfer portal, contributing to the high turnover rate within the team.
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Recent performance
Butler basketball, also known as the Butler Bulldogs, has undergone several changes in recent years, including a head coaching change in 2022, when LaVall Jordan was fired and replaced by Thad Matta. Matta, a well-known college basketball coach, had previously parted ways with Ohio State in 2017 due to health issues and a decline in performance. In his first season back at Butler in 2022, the team had a record of 14-18. However, after making roster changes, the Bulldogs improved significantly in the 2023-24 season, finishing with an 18-15 record. During this season, the Bulldogs had notable wins over Texas Tech, California, and Villanova, all in overtime, and competed closely with top-ranked Connecticut.
The team has experienced a high level of roster turnover, with eight players transferring out in a single offseason and a near-total roster makeover from the transfer portal last year. Notable transfers include Jalen Thomas and John-Michael Mulloy, and Jahmyl Telfort, who began his professional career after leaving Butler. The team has also added talented players through the transfer portal, such as Evan Haywood and Colt Langdon, who joined the Bulldogs for the 2024 season.
Looking at individual player performances, Pierre Brooks led the team to victory against the Utah Utes, scoring 22 points, including the game-winning layup. Javan Buchanan had an impressive 27 points off the bench in a game against the Boise State Broncos. Jalen Jackson, a transfer from Purdue-Fort Wayne, averaged 19.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.6 steals in his final season of eligibility with the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs have faced challenges due to injuries, with players like Coles and Battle missing significant time. Despite this, the team has shown resilience and a commitment to improvement, with Battle expressing his determination to bounce back from his injury and perform at his best.
With a strong foundation and a revitalized program under Coach Matta, Butler basketball is poised to build on its recent successes and establish itself as a competitive force in the upcoming seasons.
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Frequently asked questions
Butler fired head coach LaVall Jordan in 2022.
Thad Matta replaced LaVall Jordan as the head coach of Butler basketball in 2022.
Thad Matta parted ways with Ohio State in 2017 due to health issues and a decline in recruiting. He spent some time in administration at Indiana before returning to coaching in 2022.
Thad Matta went 14-18 in his first season back at Butler in 2022. However, he retooled the roster and improved the team's performance in the following season.
Yes, Butler basketball has experienced a high level of roster turnover in recent years, with eight players transferring out in a single offseason. Over the past three decades, there have been 29 incoming and 29 outgoing players at Butler.
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