OSU in talks with Holtmann
What had been a busy day in Ohio State’s search for a men’s basketball coach had gone suspiciously quiet by Thursday evening. Then, reports began to emerge that Butler coach Chris Holtmann is the top candidate to replace Thad Matta.
Holtmann was viewed as the first choice ahead of Ohio State assistant Chris Jent. The reigning Big East coach of the year, Holtmann signed a contract extension in April with Butler through the 2024-25 season.
A source close to the situation told The Dispatch that negotiations were underway
late Thursday on a deal for Holtmann to become Ohio State coach. Multiple sources inside the program believed a deal had already been completed.
The private plane that flew Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith to Omaha, Nebraska, and back to interview Creighton coach Greg McDermott was scheduled to leave Columbus for Indianapolis this morning. No return time had yet been scheduled.
In three seasons with the Bulldogs, Holtmann has compiled a 70-31
record and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen last season while going 25-9.
He signed a six-man recruiting class ranked 28th nationally by ESPN that is headlined by Massillon Jackson small forward Kyle Young, the No. 86 overall prospect in the nation. Holtmann also has one connection to Matta: While at Ohio as an assistant from 2008 to ’10, he worked for former Matta assistant John Groce.
A source told The Dispatch that
Holtmann’s contract with Butler has a $2 million buyout.
Smith returned early Thursday from Nebraska and, upon disembarking from the private plane, told The Dispatch that he was still working through a list and that he wasn’t done.
McDermott was not officially offered the job, however, and Thursday afternoon he issued a statement and held a news conference indicating that he was not planning to leave the Bluejays.
“I’m blessed and honored to be the coach at Creighton … and am looking forward to many more great years in Omaha!” he posted
on Twitter.
Multiple sources had told The Dispatch that Smith had been planning to interview Golden State Warriors assistant Mike Brown, who is in Cleveland for the NBA Finals. It was unclear if the meeting took place.
Virginia Tech coach Buzz Williams was also viewed as a candidate, while representatives for West Virginia coach Bob Huggins had quietly expressed interest in the job. On Tuesday, Smith flew to Roanoke, Virginia, which is near Virginia Tech.
Smith is conducting the search with the help of former coach Eddie Fogler’s search
firm. The goal has been to have a coach in place by the weekend.
On campus, Ohio State’s assistant coaches and team support staff hosted the first day of program’s annual two-day high school team camp with more than a dozen schools on campus. A number of recruits were on hand, including lone remaining 2018 commitment Dane Goodwin from Upper Arlington and former classmate Justin Ahrens from Versailles, who withdrew his commitment to explore his options until a new coach is hired.
Buckeyes assistants Dave Dickerson, Greg Paulus and Jent were there, as were alumni such as Jared Sullinger, Jon Diebler and Evan Ravenel. Before camp, David Egelhoff, director of basketball operations, filled Matta’s former role and addressed the campers with a message.
“The program is consistent,” he said. “The university is consistent. Gene’s going to do a great job of bringing in someone that’s going to carry things on, and that’s what we want to communicate to these kids: Ohio State is still here. It’s not going away.”
And it appears ready to add its next coach.