In a surprising move, Ohio State University has decided to part ways with men's basketball coach Chris Holtmann. The decision comes after a turbulent season for the Buckeyes, marked by a series of disappointing losses. Holtmann, who had been at the helm for seven seasons, leaves Ohio State with a record of 137-86 but was unable to guide the team past the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The final blow for Holtmann came on Tuesday, as Ohio State suffered a 62-54 defeat against No. 20 Wisconsin, pushing their overall record to 14-11. With a conference record of 4-10, the team currently sits just one game outside of last place in the Big Ten standings.

Gene Smith, the athletic director at Ohio State, expressed his gratitude towards Holtmann for running a well-respected program during his tenure. Smith also acknowledged Holtmann's wife, Lori, and wished them both well in their future endeavors. Assistant coach Jake Diebler will take over as interim head coach until a permanent replacement is found.

Holtmann's departure from Ohio State comes as a shock to many, considering his reputation as one of the top coaches in college basketball. He was hired in 2017 after a successful stint at Butler University. Under Holtmann's leadership, the Buckeyes made four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances before the pandemic canceled the 2020 edition.

However, the past few seasons have posed significant challenges for Ohio State. The team struggled with a series of disappointing results, finishing 2019-2020 with a losing record and failing to advance past the second round in the tournament. The 2022-2023 season was marked by a 16-19 record and a 13th place finish in the Big Ten, the team's first losing season in nearly twenty years.

Holtmann's recruiting efforts were also not without setbacks. While he successfully developed stars like E.J. Liddell and Malaki Branham, who both left early for the NBA, he faced challenges with other key additions. Seth Towns and Isaac Likekele did not have the expected impact on the team, and D.J. Carton left due to mental health issues.

The decision to dismiss Holtmann comes as Ohio State prepares for a new era, as current athletic director Gene Smith is set to retire at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year. His successor, Ross Bjork, will lead the search for a new head coach.

As the Buckeyes make this significant change, their arch-rival, the University of Michigan, has decided to retain their men's basketball coach, Juwan Howard, despite their own struggles. Howard's team currently sits at the bottom of the Big Ten standings with an 8-17 record.

Ohio State's decision to part ways with Holtmann represents a new chapter for the basketball program. The search for a replacement will undoubtedly be a crucial step in regaining the team's former success and restoring their reputation as a powerhouse in college basketball.