COLUMBUS — Ohio State announced on Wednesday the firing of head basketball coach Chris Holtmann amid a subpar season for the Buckeyes.
Associate head coach Jake Diebler will assume the interim head coaching duties for the remainder of the season and for the duration of the search for a new head coach, per Ohio State athletics director Gene Smith.
Smith told the media the coaching change is "obviously something I've been thinking about for a little bit."
Holtmann, compiled an 137-86 record a seven seasons at the helm in Columbus but the last few years as he tried to retool the basketball program relying heavily on the transfer portal and NIL issues.
Ohio State currently sits a 14-11 overall and 4-10 in Big Ten play, but have lost nine of their last 11. Last year, the Buckeyes finished 16-19 and 5-15 in conference play, marking their first losing season in nearly two decades.
The Buckeyes did manage to make the NCAA Tournament in 2021 and 2022 but couldn't make it out of the first weekend in either appearance.
Ohio State's 62-54 loss against Wisconsin in Madison on Tuesday marked the program's 16th straight road loss, tying a school record. The last the Buckeyes won a game on the road was Jan. 1, 2023.
Smith is set to retire in July, and he stated that new athletics director Ross Bjork would lead the search for a new basketball coach.
Holtmann signed an extension in 2022, giving him an additional three years and making his salary $3.5 million a season. He will still be owed the remaining $12.8 million as part of his buyout.
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