DePaul University has made a significant move in their efforts to revitalize their struggling men's basketball program by hiring former Ohio State coach, Chris Holtmann. Sources have confirmed that Holtmann has accepted a six-year deal to become the head coach of the Blue Demons, according to CBS Sports.

Holtmann's tenure at Ohio State came to an end in February as the Buckeyes were grappling with an 18-game road losing streak. However, his overall coaching record of 251-171 speaks for itself, with successful stints at Ohio State, Butler, and Gardner-Webb. Under his leadership, the Buckeyes secured four NCAA Tournament appearances, and during his time at Butler, Holtmann guided the Bulldogs to three NCAA Tournament berths.

DePaul's men's basketball program has been plagued by a lack of success in recent years, failing to qualify for the NCAA Tournament since 2004. This ongoing drought is currently the longest in any power conference. To attract a prominent candidate like Holtmann, DePaul has committed a substantial amount of money, allocating over $3 million in their coaching pool, sources have revealed. Additionally, a significant NIL (name, image, likeness) fund of more than $2 million is expected to be made available.

The Blue Demons had a challenging season, recording what is statistically their worst performance in the past 25 years for a power-conference program. With a dismal 3-29 record, they currently hold the lowest ranking in KenPom.com's history for any high-major conference team, sitting at 308th place.

However, Holtmann brings hope to DePaul, having proven his coaching abilities during his successful tenure at Butler in the Big East. In just three seasons, from 2014 to 2017, he led the Bulldogs to an impressive 70 wins.

With the appointment of Chris Holtmann as the new head coach, DePaul University aims to rejuvenate their men's basketball program and end their prolonged absence from the NCAA Tournament. The university and its fans eagerly await the start of a new chapter under Holtmann's leadership, hoping to witness a turnaround and a return to their former glory days.