Earlier this month, reports surfaced providing odds on the likelihood of Ohio State basketball coach Chris Holtmann returning for the next season as the new head coach
The odds favored “No” at -180 and “Yes” at +150. On Thursday, No emerged as the winner as the Buckeyes parted ways with Holtmann following their 16th consecutive road defeat against Wisconsin, marking the longest such streak for the school this century.
Ohio State University basketball new next head coach odds and predictions in 2024
The Ohio State University has announced a change in men's basketball leadership effective immediately.
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— Ohio State Hoops 🌰 (@OhioStateHoops) February 14, 2024
Reason Behind Holtmann’s Dismissal
In his seven seasons at Ohio State, Holtmann achieved a record of 137-86, with a 67-65 standing in Big Ten play. Although the Buckeyes made four NCAA Tournament appearances under his guidance, they never advanced beyond the first weekend.
The team’s performance declined notably last season, finishing with a 16-19 overall record and a 5-15 record in the Big Ten. Despite a promising start this year at 12-2 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten, OSU has only secured two victories since.
Holtmann’s Contract
Holtmann, holding a contract through the 2027-28 season worth over $14 million, faced criticism at home games, with attendance dropping at Value City Arena.
Ohio State’s outgoing athletic director, Gene Smith, who extended Holtmann’s contract in the summer of 2022, announced that a decision about Holtmann’s future would be deferred until after the season concludes.
The interim coach for the remainder of the season remains uncertain at the time of this writing.
Ohio State is now in search of its 16th head coach, with incoming athletic director Ross Bjork, set to replace Smith on July 1, leading the hiring process.
Potential Candidates for Head Coach Position
The top contenders, according to reports, are Lamont Paris from South Carolina, a favorite for National Coach of the Year, and current Xavier coach Sean Miller, formerly of Arizona.
Paris, an Ohio native with Big Ten experience, is considered a strong candidate, while Miller boasts an impressive record, having reached the Elite Eight four times. Other potential candidates include Dusty May, who led Florida Atlantic to a Final Four run last season, and former Xavier coach Chris Mack.
Odds For Next Ohio State’s Head Coach
The odds for the next full-time Ohio State basketball coach are currently as follows:
– Lamont Paris +250
– Sean Miller +400
– Dusty May +500
– Chris Mack +700
– Buzz Williams +800
– Wes Miller +900
– Greg McDermott +1000
– Scoonie Penn +1300
– Anthony Grant +1500
– Nate Oats +1700
– Eric Musselman +1800
– Josh Schertz +2000
– Pat Kelsey +2000
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