Jake Diebler will continue to coach Ohio State’s men’s basketball team beyond the 2023-24 season.
The Buckeyes officially hired Diebler as their new head coach on Sunday. He received a five-year contract after closing the season as Ohio State’s interim coach.
“Jake Diebler possesses all of the characteristics we were seeking as we conducted a very comprehensive and thorough search for a new head coach,” senior advisor for intercollegiate athletics Ross Bjork said in a school statement. “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.”
Ohio State fired Chris Holtmann before he could finish his seventh season with the program. The Buckeyes went 6-2 behind Diebler, including a 73-69 upset over Purdue to start his tenure.
Diebler led Ohio State to a 90-78 win over Iowa in the second round of the Big Ten tournament before a 77-74 loss to No. 13 Illinois on Friday. The Fighting Illini face Wisconsin for the conference title on Sunday.
The late surge may not be enough to propel Ohio State into the NCAA tournament. ESPN bracket expert Joe Lunardi has the Buckeyes listed among his “next four out,” but Diebler will have more chances to go dancing as the school’s head coach.
“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 [Walter] 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.”