Thad Matta declines offer to coach Georgia, submits statement following decision

The search to replace Mark Fox in Athens marches on as former Ohio State coach Thad Matta has declined an offer to become the next Georgia basketball coach.

Georgia reportedly offered Matta the job Tuesday and he mulled the offer over during the last 24 hours. UGA relieved Fox of his duties after the program failed to make the 2018 NCAA Tournament.

Following his decision to decline UGA’s offer, Matta offered up the following statement to ESPN:

Thad Matta on spurning Georgia: "It was the most difficult decision because Georgia is a tremendous opportunity for a coach to build a great program. Unfortunately, I just don’t feel that I am completely ready at this point to give Greg McGarity and Georgia what they deserve."

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) March 14, 2018

Matta would have appeared to be a great hire for the program, as the former Ohio State coach led the Buckeyes to two Final Four appearances and an overall record of 337-123. In his 12 seasons of being eligible for the NCAA Tournament at Ohio State, Matta made nine appearances in the event. One of the years Matta’s team did not make it into the tournament, the program won the NIT.

Now AD Greg McGarity must now turn to another direction to find the next Bulldog basketball coach.