Ohio State AD Gene Smith gives Thad Matta vote of confidence

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It doesn't appear Thad Matta is going anywhere.

The Ohio State head coach was given a vote of confidence by athletic director Gene Smith on Wednesday.

"While we are not currently where we aspire to be with our performance on the court, Thad understands better than anyone that component has to improve," Smith said. "I am confident in his leadership to return the program to the winning ways that we have all enjoyed during his 13-year tenure. We have had tremendous success with Thad as our basketball coach. His commitment to developing young men in a holistic way and running our program with the highest of integrity continue to be hallmarks of his leadership."

Matta has guided Ohio State to five Big Ten titles en route to a 337-122 record since taking over the program in 2004-05, but the past two campaigns have been trying.

The Buckeyes have lost 14 games in each of the last two years, and it appears likely Matta and Co. will miss the tournament for a second consecutive season.

It's hard to imagine a better option available to take over the program at the moment, so the 49-year-old will have an opportunity to once again get things headed in the right direction.