Ronald Nored, former player and NBA assistant, to be next Butler basketball coach

Butler is expected to name Ronald Nored as its next men’s basketball coach a source has confirmed to the IndyStar.

Nored, 36, will be the 25th coach in program history, replacing Thad Matta after his retirement following the 2025-26 season. Nored is first coach hired by athletic director Grant Leiendecker, a former Butler basketball player who took over for outgoing AD Barry Collier in December of 2024.

Nored is expected to tell Atlanta Hawks players this morning, a source said. That is where Nored is an assistant coach.

Nored emerged as a candidate to replace Matta due to his strong relationship with Leiendecker. Nored and Leiendecker played together at Butler for three seasons, including Butler’s back-to-back national championship runner-up teams in 2010 and 2011. Of the potential coaching candidates, Nored was the only one without head-coaching experience, but his relationship with Leiendecker provides a level of familiarity and comfort for the AD.

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Ronald Nored hired as Butler basketball coach. See his playing, coaching career over time

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 12: Summer League head coach Ronald Nored of the Atlanta Hawks gestures to players against the Washington Wizards in the first half of a 2024 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 12, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wizards defeated the Hawks 94-88. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)

Long Island Net head coach Ronald Nored disagrees with the call on the court Saturday playing the Wisconsin Herd at Menominee Nation Arena December 9, 2017.

Indiana assistant Ronald Nored, left, and Tyrese Haliburton go over film during warmups as the Pacers host the Wizards at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Feb. 16, 2022.

Indiana assistant Ronald Nored dribbles after Pacers practice at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Feb. 24, 2022.

Indiana assistant Ronald Nored smiles during warmups as the Bucks host the Pacers at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Feb. 15, 2022.

Ronald Nored, former Butler basketball player, gives a speech during Butler University’s hall of fame ceremony Thursday, September 9, 2021, at Hinkle Fieldhouse at Butler University in Indianapolis.

Nored made his name as a hard-nosed defender and a key member of Butler’s back-to-back national runner up teams. He entered coaching after graduating from Butler in 2012, serving as the head coach at Brownsburg before making stops as an assistant with the Maine Red Claws and an assistant/player development coach with the Boston Celtics under former Butler coach Brad Stevens.

Nored coached one season at Brownsburg High School in 2012-13. He was an assistant at Northern Kentucky during the 2015-16 season. The remainder of his coaching experience comes as an assistant in the G League and the NBA, where he is an assistant with the Atlanta Hawks under Quin Snyder and alongside former Notre Dame coach Mike Brey.

The transfer portal will open five days after the hire was made or announced and stay open for 15 days — a rule change implemented for this cycle. The portal was slated to open April 7 for 15 days if there weren’t a coaching change.

Redshirt sophomore Jamie Kaiser Jr. and freshman Jack McCaffery are the only players to announce their intentions to enter the portal to date.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Ronald Nored hired as Butler basketball coach, former player, NBA assistant

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