Ohio State University made the decision to fire men’s basketball coach Chris Holtmann after a disappointing season that saw the team lose nine of their last 11 games. The Buckeyes fell to 14-11, one game out of last place in the Big Ten standings, prompting the school to make a change. Holtmann, in his seventh year at Ohio State, still has $12.8 million owed to him from his current contract. Athletic director Gene Smith praised Holtmann’s leadership but acknowledged the need for change.
Associate coach Jake Diebler will step in as the interim head coach while future athletic director Ross Bjork will lead the search for a permanent replacement. This move comes as a shock considering Holtmann was once regarded as one of the top college basketball coaches.
The decision to part ways with Holtmann has been viewed as a significant one for the program, as he led the team to an overall record of 137-86 and took them to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances at the beginning of his tenure. However, recent seasons have been challenging, with the team finishing 13th in the Big Ten and missing the NCAA Tournament in 2022.
Long-time athletic director Gene Smith’s pending retirement and the arrival of Ross Bjork as the new athletic director could signal a period of transformation for Ohio State’s men’s basketball program. The school’s rival, Michigan, recently announced their support for men’s basketball coach Juwan Howard despite their own struggles, highlighting the unpredictable landscape of college basketball coaching.
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