Ohio State Buckeyes coach Jake Diebler ready to ‘turn things around’ after Chris Holtmann

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Jake Diebler met with the media on Monday and helped preview the upcoming season after an eventful few months.

Diebler replaces former coach Chris Holtmann (now at DePaul), who was fired last season after the Buckeyes were 14-11 at the time of the decision. Now entering his first full season in management, Diebler is ready to enter a new era.

“We have to turn the page and create a completely different program,” Diebler told Eleven Warriors. “…I have been fortunate to work with and for some high-level coaches. …Working at every level throughout my career, I think it’s really valuable. …I think it really gives me good perspective.”

The Buckeyes found themselves on the NCAA Tournament bubble at the end of the 2023-2024 regular season, but Diebler, then playing under a temporary contract, was the driving force that got Ohio State to that point in the first place. He replaced Holtmann, who was fired the day after the Buckeyes’ 62-54 loss to Wisconsin. Diebler led Ohio State to a 73-69 victory over then No. 1 No. 2 Purdue four days later.

Ohio State finished the season with an 8-3 record under Diebler after parting ways with Holtmann. The Buckeyes almost defeated Illinois in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament, but instead of an impressive late defeat, they had to settle for a quarterfinal loss to Georgia in the NIT. the season continues until March Madness.

Ohio State will open its regular season in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena on Monday, November 4 against the Texas Longhorns as part of the Hall of Fame Series.