Hawks assistant Ronald Nored is leaving his NBA job to become the head coach at Butler University. The move was first reported by Matt Norlander of CBS Sports and has been officially confirmed by the school.
“The term ‘dream job’ doesn’t do justice to how I feel about the opportunity to lead the Butler program,” Nored said in a statement. “Butler is an incredibly special place. As a player, I poured blood, sweat and tears into this program. No one appreciates both the responsibility and the potential that comes with this position more than me. Passionate fans, Hinkle Fieldhouse, the BIG EAST, storied tradition, a world-class education, a thriving city… there is incredible momentum at Butler right now and I can’t wait to hit the ground running as we elevate Butler to new heights.”
A longtime NBA assistant, Nored has spent the past three seasons under Quin Snyder in Atlanta. He was also a member of Rick Carlisle‘s Pacers staff from 2021-23, worked with the Hornets under James Borrego from 2018-21, and had a player development role in Boston in 2014/15 under his former Butler coach Brad Stevens.
Additionally, Nored has a little previous head coaching experience. From 2016-18, he served as the head coach of the Long Island Nets, Brooklyn’s G League affiliate.
A player for the Bulldogs from 2008-12, Nored was the starting point guard on the Butler squads that appeared in consecutive national championship games in 2010 and 2011. He’ll be replacing Thad Matta, who announced his retirement last week. Nored and Akron coach John Groce were the two finalists for the position, sources tell Norlander.
While neither Norlander’s report nor Butler’s press release confirmed that Nored will be leaving the Hawks immediately, before the end of the NBA season, the school indicated that he’ll be introduced to the media on Friday afternoon.