COLUMBUS — A little over one month after Ohio State men’s basketball coach Chris Holtmann was fired and Jake Diebler was named interim head coach, incoming Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork has removed the interim tag from Diebler and put him in charge of the basketball program for the foreseeable future.
“Jake Diebler possesses all of the characteristics we were seeking as we conducted a very comprehensive and thorough search for a new head coach,” Bjork said. “Those include coaching ability, passion, energy, program knowledge, character, integrity and ties to Ohio. As an Ohio native, the son of a longtime Ohio high school coach and with deep connections to Ohio State, Jake knows what it takes to lead this program on a championship course.”
Diebler has led the Buckeyes to a 6-2 mark since he took over for Holtmann on February 14. That record included a 73-69 win over No. 2 Purdue in his first game as the interim head coach.
“Throughout the search, every time we analyzed what was best for the program, our decision kept leading right back to Jake,” Bjork said. “The way he has led the program since February 14 has been exemplary and is only the beginning of what lies ahead for Buckeye Basketball. The future is exciting, and I cannot wait to watch him lead this program.”
The Buckeyes were knocked out of the Big Ten Tournament on Friday and now await what will likely be an NIT berth. That announcement will come Sunday evening.
Diebler, who is 37 years old, has not run a program of his own until taking over for Holtmann in February. He was an assistant for Holtmann since 2019. Prior to that he spent three years as an assistant coach at Vanderbilt. Before Vandy, Diebler was the video coordinator at Ohio State for then-head coach Thad Matta.
“It’s a blessing and a privilege to serve this program and I’m excited for this opportunity,” Diebler said. “I’d like to thank Ross Bjork and President Carter for believing in me and the vision that I have moving forward. Ohio State basketball is special and means so much to me and my family. I look forward to serving the entire Ohio State basketball family as best as I possibly can.”
Diebler, who is the brother of former OSU guard Jon Diebler, got his coaching career started at his alma mater Valparaiso where he spent four seasons climbing up the ranks from student assistant to full-time assistant from 2010-2013.
Diebler was named Associate Head Coach by Holtmann in 2022 and he has been called on to step in for Holtmann twice as head coach due to illness. The Buckeyes won both of those games as well.
Diebler also holds the Ohio High School boys basketball state records for career steals (578) and assists (835) while playing at Fostoria and Upper Sandusky from 2001-2005.
Ohio State will be holding a press conference on Monday as they introduce Diebler and also preview their postseason situation.
Buckeye Huddle will have more as it develops.
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