COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State men’s basketball team is starting a new chapter with a new head coach. Jake Diebler, who took over on an interim basis after Chris Holtmann was let go last month, is the first Ohio native to hold the job in 35 years.
What You Need To Know
- Jake Diebler becomes the 15th head coach in Ohio State basketball history
- Diebler became the interim head coach in February after Chris Holtmann was let go
- Diebler went 6-2 to end the season, including an upset over No. 2 Purdue
- Current and past players were consulted in the hiring and there was unwavering support for Diebler to become the next head coach
Interim no more. Jake Diebler was officially announced as the head coach of the Ohio State men’s basketball team. He says it’s a dream come true.
Diebler took the stage as the 15th head basketball coach in Ohio State history with nothing but a smile. A northwest Ohio native who is proud to lead the Buckeyes in their next chapter on the court.
“Growing up you have dreams,” Diebler said. “And you never fully get to predict if or when those dreams come true. And I just want to praise God for being able to live out a dream of mine.”
Diebler has been with the program for eight seasons, first as a video coordinator under Thad Matta, then as an assistant and later an associate head coach under Chris Holtmann. Incoming athletic director, Ross Bjork, led the national search and realized the next head coach was right under his nose.
“If we know where we’re going, let’s pull the trigger,” Bjork said. “He’s the real deal. He knows how to live at the highest level of college basketball. He’s seen it in action. So, to me that made up for long-term head coaching experience because he just fits where we are in this program right now.”
Bjork utilized current and past players to help with the search. He found that they were all supportive of Diebler after his 6-2 run to end the season, including an upset of No. 2 Purdue. Diebler is hopeful to give the past players a program they can be proud of.
“I take so seriously the foundation that you guys have laid for this program that which we stand upon,” Diebler said. “And hopefully we will honor in the greatest way to help get this thing to the heights that it belongs.”
And Diebler has no transition time for the new gig. He’s leading his team to the first round of the NIT tournament at the Schottenstein Center on Tuesday night against Cornell.