Ohio State Men's Basketball Coaching Job Highly Regarded, Attracting Top Candidates

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
15/02/2024 20h31

After parting ways with head coach Chris Holtmann and entering coaching search mode, Ohio State University's men's basketball program has garnered significant attention as one of the most desirable positions in college basketball. The decision made by the Buckeyes' administration reflects their commitment to competing for Big Ten titles and making deep runs in the NCAA Tournament, refusing to settle for mediocrity.

Following 247Sports' polling of various industry sources and coaches, it is evident that the Ohio State head coaching job is highly regarded. Some industry insiders argue that it could be considered a top-10 job in college basketball, while the general consensus among coaches indicates that it is no worse than a top-20 gig.

Coaches highlighted several factors that contribute to the appeal of the Ohio State coaching position. Firstly, the presence of a local base of talent combined with the program's national brand was noted as a significant advantage. Additionally, the implementation of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules, allowing players to benefit financially, was seen as a positive aspect of the job. Coaches had no concerns regarding the resources and facilities provided by Ohio State, maintaining confidence in their ability to build a competitive program.

A Big Ten assistant coach expressed their enthusiasm, stating, "Great job. Resources, facilities, money, and they are historically good. I would go there. I could get busy there. It's a name. They can get pros."

As the college basketball world anticipates a busy coaching carousel during this offseason, Ohio State has positioned itself as a top destination for prospective candidates. The Buckeyes have the potential to attract coaches from high-major programs and those who emerge as the hottest mid-major names.

While some coaches expressed their desire to have a shot at the Ohio State job, they acknowledged that only accomplished coaches with established reputations may ultimately land the position, emphasizing the program's appeal. A mid-major head coach admitted, "But I've got no shot. My agent and I have talked about spots that could work, but a place like Ohio State is going to get a pretty accomplished coach who has a big name unless something goes wrong."

In terms of recruiting, Ohio State's performance has been mixed over the past decade. The Buckeyes have secured three top-10 ranked classes according to the 247Sports Composite ranking. However, they have also had classes ranked in the 40s, demonstrating inconsistency. On the court, Ohio State last won a Big Ten conference championship in 2012 and has not advanced past the round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament since 2013.

Despite these challenges, the resources, facilities, and talented potential player pool available to the coaching staff at Ohio State indicate a program that has underachieved in recent years. While replicating the successful era from 1999 to 2012, which yielded seven Big Ten titles and three Final Four appearances, may be a lofty expectation, it highlights the significant potential that Ohio State possesses as a landing spot for ambitious coaches.

Assistant coaches around the college basketball landscape unanimously acknowledge the desirability of a program like Ohio State, where winning is achievable with the necessary support. The Buckeyes' reputation as a highly regarded coaching job continues to grow.

The Daily Dish, a daily college basketball column by 247Sports writers, covers the significant stories of the day in the sport and will provide coverage until the NCAA Tournament championship in April.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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