Ohio State's Matta: Another team told a recruit I was dying

It has not been a great two years in Columbus. Head coach Thad Matta has endured his worst stretch in his career as Ohio State's head coach, and the program will most likely miss its second consecutive NCAA tournament. Recently, rumors have swirled that Matta will be forced to retire due to his back issues, though a report Monday indicated he'll coach the Buckeyes again next year.

Matta insisted Tuesday that he's feeling good, and said he's no stranger to rumors about his condition, explaining that other teams have tried to use his health issues against him for the last eight years.

"Somebody told a recruit I was dying," Matta told reporters. "Swear to god. Not that my foot wouldn't lift, but that I was going to die. It's a tough business I'm in here."

He added, "The kid was going to have a press conference and the father called and said, 'We're going to delay it.' I said 'I understand, (but) why?' And he said, 'Health issues.' I said, 'What's going on?' He said, 'Well, it's your health. (A coach told us) you're going to die.'"

Matta then explained to the father that he'd never missed a day of work, a game, or a day of recruiting since his back had started bother him.