Ohio State University made a significant move on Wednesday, parting ways with basketball coach Chris Holtmann after seven seasons. The decision comes as the Buckeyes find themselves in the midst of another underwhelming campaign.
In a statement released by the school, Ohio State announced that associate head coach Jake Diebler would take over as the interim coach for the remainder of the season. The university also revealed that a thorough search for a new head coach would commence at the conclusion of the season.
The Buckeyes currently hold a 14-11 record, with a disappointing 4-10 record in the Big Ten conference. Recent struggles have plagued the team, as they have lost nine of their last eleven games. The 2022-23 season was particularly challenging for Ohio State, as they finished with a losing record of 16-19 overall and 5-15 in the Big Ten.
Ohio State's woes reached a new low on Tuesday with a 62-54 loss to Wisconsin, marking their 16th consecutive road defeat. This dismal streak ties a school record, with their last road victory coming on January 1, 2023. These struggles have undoubtedly played a role in the decision to part ways with Holtmann.
When Holtmann was recruited from Butler in 2017 to replace Thad Matta, he was regarded as a promising up-and-coming coach. Matta had achieved considerable success with the Buckeyes but agreed to step down, citing health issues as a factor in his decision.
During his tenure at Ohio State, Holtmann compiled a respectable 137-86 record. However, the program's recent seasons have been plagued by disappointment, as they have struggled to adapt to the evolving landscape of college basketball. The rise of transfer portals and the advent of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals have posed challenges for Holtmann and the Buckeyes.
While Holtmann guided Ohio State to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2021 and 2022, the team failed to advance beyond the first weekend on both occasions. Additionally, Holtmann's teams were unable to secure a regular-season conference title or tournament championship during his tenure.
Gene Smith, the athletics director at Ohio State, expressed his gratitude towards Holtmann for his contributions to the program. Smith acknowledged Holtmann's commitment to running a first-class and well-respected basketball program at the university.
Holtmann's departure from Ohio State comes with a cost, as he still has $12.8 million remaining on his contract. In 2022, the university rewarded him with a three-year contract extension, which elevated his annual salary to approximately $3.5 million.
As the search for a new head coach begins, Ohio State will undoubtedly be seeking a candidate who can revitalize the basketball program and bring them back to the upper echelons of college basketball. It remains to be seen how the team will fare in the interim under Diebler's guidance.
Stay tuned as Ohio State determines the next leader to take the reins of their basketball program, hoping to restore its glory and bring success back to Columbus.
