Fansided

Butler’s search for a head coach: 4 names to watch

By Chris Stone

Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Butler Bulldogs fans cheer on their team before the first half of a game against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Butler Bulldogs fans cheer on their team before the first half of a game against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Nov 19, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; South Alabama Jaguars head coach Matthew Graves against the LSU Tigers during the first half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; South Alabama Jaguars head coach Matthew Graves against the LSU Tigers during the first half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Matthew Graves, South Alabama head coach

Matthew Graves is another potential candidate with plenty of ties to the Butler program. He played for the Bulldogs from 1993 to 1998, was an assistant head coach with the team from 2000 to 2010 and was its associate head coach from 2010 to 2013. Graves left Butler in 2013 to become the head coach of the South Alabama Jaguars in 2013. During his time as a player with the Bulldogs, he helped the team to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 35 years.

In four seasons with the Jaguars, Graves has amassed a 51-78 record while making zero NCAA Tournament appearances. South Alabama has yet to finish in the top half of the Sun Belt Conference under his watch. It is his first head coaching job.

When Graves took the job with the Jaguars, he referenced his plans to model the team’s playing style after Butler. Graves spoke specifically of being “hard-nosed and tough defensively,” two traits that have permeated the Bulldogs’ program in recent memory.

Graves doesn’t necessarily have the head coaching acumen to suggest that he will be a top candidate for the job, but his history with the program and connection to Brad Stevens will almost certainly get him a look.