Greg Oden, the former No. 1 overall pick in the NBA, whose career was significantly hindered by injuries, has transitioned into a coaching position following two years with Butler basketball, as reported by IndyStar.
In 2022, Oden joined Butler’s coaching staff alongside his former head coach at Ohio State, Thad Matta, who returned to Indianapolis to lead the Bulldogs. Matta had coached Oden during his lone season at Ohio State, which concluded with the Buckeyes’ loss to Florida in the national championship game. After wrapping up his professional career, Oden returned to Ohio State to finish his degree and took on the role of student manager for the men’s basketball team just as Matta stepped away from the program due to health concerns and performance issues.
After a five-year absence from coaching, Matta was named Butler’s head coach, returning to a role he had previously held as an assistant for six years before becoming a head coach in 2000. Oden, a product of Indianapolis, assumed the position of director of basketball operations, while Jon Diebler, another of Matta’s former Ohio State players, was appointed as the Bulldogs’ director of recruiting.
During Oden’s time on the coaching staff, Butler achieved a record of 14-18, followed by an 18-15 season that marked the program’s first winning season since 2019-20. The Bulldogs also earned a spot in the NIT, their first postseason appearance in five years. IndyStar indicated that Oden has not revealed his future plans following his departure from Butler.
According to IndyStar, Connor McCaffery, the son of Iowa basketball head coach Fran McCaffery and the boyfriend of Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark, has been mentioned as a potential candidate to succeed Oden on the Butler coaching staff. Connor’s brother, Patrick McCaffery, has recently transferred from Iowa to Butler, while their younger brother, Jack, who is a recruit for 2025, is also committed to the Bulldogs.
Greg Oden was selected ahead of Kevin Durant
Greg Oden was a formidable force in college basketball, being chosen as the top pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, selected over Kevin Durant, who would go on to win MVP and Finals MVP honors. Although this decision seems questionable in retrospect, Oden was viewed as the premier prospect due to his impressive performance on both ends of the floor while at Ohio State.
However, Oden had limited opportunities to showcase his talent at the professional level. Struggling with multiple lower-body injuries, he played in only 105 regular-season games and nine playoff matches, with his last appearance occurring during Game 4 of the 2014 NBA Finals with the Miami Heat.
Oden had a short stint in China and made a return in The Basketball Tournament, but his professional career ultimately did not meet the high expectations set for him due to the injuries he faced.
Image Source: Greg Oden @ Instagram
