Ohio State University has confirmed that they are targeting Jake Diebler as their full-time men’s basketball coach. Diebler, who is in his fifth season with the program, has been the associate head coach for the past three seasons. This move comes following Chris Holtmann was fired on February 14th.
Details regarding the length of Diebler’s contract and the terms are not yet known. Diebler recently met with the incoming athletic director, Ross Bjork, and the final details of the contract still need to be worked out.
Ohio State fell short in their pursuit of the NCAA Tournament, but under Diebler, they may have a chance to pursue an NIT bid. This would require having enough players to field a roster, and the transfer portal officially opens on Monday.
Despite losing to Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals, Diebler has declined to campaign for the full-time coaching job, stating that his focus is on the players and the program. He has indicated that there will be a time to think regarding what’s next, but for now, his focus remains on the current team.
This move to hire Diebler comes following Ohio State was connected to several high-profile national coaching candidates. They were in contact with Dusty May from Florida Atlantic, Sean Miller from Xavier, Nate Oats from Alabama, Greg McDermott from Creighton, and Lamont Paris from South Carolina. However, the Buckeyes ultimately zeroed in on Diebler as their top choice.
Diebler’s coaching career began at Valparaiso as a student assistant and he worked his way up to assistant coach before joining Thad Matta’s staff at Ohio State. He then went on to be an assistant at Vanderbilt before returning to Ohio State under Holtmann. Diebler has been instrumental in recruiting and signing players for the Buckeyes.
Implications and Future Trends:
The hiring of Jake Diebler as the full-time men’s basketball coach at Ohio State University has several implications for the program and the college basketball landscape as a whole.
Firstly, Diebler’s familiarity with the program and his track record as an assistant coach make him a strong candidate to lead the Buckeyes to future success. His experience working under Chris Holtmann and his role in recruiting and signing players for the team demonstrate his ability to build a competitive roster.
Additionally, Diebler’s emphasis on player development and his focus on the current team’s success indicate a commitment to the program’s long-term growth and sustainability. This approach might set a trend for other college basketball programs, as they prioritize building a strong foundation and investing in the development of their players.
Furthermore, the Ohio State men’s basketball program’s pursuit of an NIT bid highlights the changing landscape of postseason tournaments. In recent years, the NIT has become a valuable opportunity for teams to gain postseason experience and continue their development, even if they fall short of the NCAA Tournament. This trend might continue as more teams recognize the benefits of participating in the NIT.
In terms of recommendations for the industry, it is important for other college basketball programs to consider the qualities that made Diebler an attractive candidate for Ohio State. Prioritizing strong assistant coaches, emphasizing player development, and fostering a positive team culture are all key factors in building a successful program.
Furthermore, the evolving landscape of postseason tournaments provides opportunities for teams to continue their season and gain valuable experience, even if they do not make the NCAA Tournament. Coaches and athletic directors should consider the benefits of pursuing NIT bids and other postseason opportunities for their programs.
Overall, the hiring of Jake Diebler as Ohio State’s full-time men’s basketball coach marks an important moment for the program and has implications for the broader college basketball landscape. Diebler’s track record and approach to coaching position the Buckeyes for future success, while also highlighting trends in player development and the evolving importance of postseason tournaments.
