By SAM LANCE, CHARLIE PARENT & ADAM ZAGORIA
Chris Holtmann is out at Ohio State following Tuesday night’s 62-54 loss to No. 20 Wisconsin.
The school made the announcement after the Field of 68 first reported it Wednesday morning.
“I want to express my appreciation toward Chris for the first-class program, and the well-respected program, he has run here at Ohio State,” OSU athletic director Gene Smith said in a statement. “He and his wife, Lori, are wonderful people. I thank each of them for their seven years here in Columbus and I wish them well.”
Asked his expectations for the program, Smith told reporters: “Be in the hunt. Periodically win the championship and go deep into the postseason. That hasn’t changed. That hasn’t been accomplished. We have to do better.”
Associate head coach Jake Diebler has been named interim head coach.
Among the betting favorites to succeed Holtmann are Cincinnati coach Wes Miller, Xavier’s Sean Miller and Florida Atlantic’s Dusty May, who led his program to the Final Four a year ago. Creighton’s Greg McDermott, South Carolina’s Lamont Paris, Dayton’s Anthony Grant and Charleston’s Pat Kelsey are also linked to the job.
Ohio State (14-11, 4-10 Big Ten) is currently in second-to-last place in the Big Ten, ahead of only rival Michigan. Holtmann concludes his tenure with four NCAA Tournament appearances in seven seasons, though Ohio State did not make it out of the first weekend once. His buyout is reportedly in the $12.5 million range. The Buckeyes host No. 2 Purdue on Sunday. Follow Charlie on Twitter Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram And Like ZAGS on FacebookOdds on the next Ohio State coach, per https://t.co/zHc9ALwA3j pic.twitter.com/KJviHI22GC
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) February 14, 2024
