Ohio State’s head basketball coach, Chris Holtmann, who spoke at the Big Ten NCAA college basketball Media Days in October 2023, has been dismissed by the university due to the team’s ongoing underperformance. The decision comes amidst another disappointing season for the Buckeyes.
Associate head coach Jake Diebler will take over coaching duties for the remainder of the season, while the university initiates a search for a new head coach, as announced by Ohio State’s athletics director, Gene Smith. Smith emphasized the necessity of a coaching change for the program’s benefit, despite the emotional weight of the decision.
Ohio State’s current record stands at 14-11 overall, with a 4-10 performance in the Big Ten conference, marked by a string of losses. The team’s recent defeat against Wisconsin marked their 16th consecutive loss on the road, tying a school record.
Holtmann, previously hailed as a promising coach upon his recruitment from Butler in 2017, leaves Ohio State with a record of 137-86 over seven years. However, the team’s recent seasons have fallen short of expectations, amidst challenges posed by the evolving landscape of college basketball, including the prominence of the transfer portal and NIL issues.
Despite guiding Ohio State to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2021 and 2022, Holtmann’s tenure lacked a conference title or significant tournament success. The search for a new coach will be overseen by incoming athletics director Ross Bjork, as Smith is set to retire in July.
Holtmann’s departure comes with financial implications, as he will be owed the remaining $12.8 million on his contract, following a three-year extension awarded in 2022, which elevated his annual salary to approximately $3.5 million.
