Eric Boggs
The search for the next head coach of the Ohio State men’s basketball team has just begun, but the list of contenders has dwindled down to a handful of possibilities. At the forefront of this discussion is the current interim coach, Jake Diebler, who has orchestrated an impressive turnaround since taking the helm, boasting a 4-1 record.
Diebler’s immediate impact on the team has pushed him to the front of the line for consideration, with speculations rising that if he can guide the Buckeyes to a successful NCAA tournament run, he might secure the permanent head coaching position. The recent developments and insights into the coaching search were discussed on The OHIO Podcast, emphasizing Diebler’s growing candidacy, which you can watch by following the provided link.
While Diebler is an obvious candidate, there are other coaches in the mix. Notably, Jay Wright, currently working in the media, and Greg McDermott, head coach at Creighton, have both been ruled out as viable candidates, signaling a shift towards other potential leaders.
One intriguing option is Dusty May from Florida Atlantic, who led the Owls to a Final Four appearance last season and boasts an impressive overall coaching record of 121-66. However, concerns linger that Columbus might only be a pit stop for the Indiana-native on his way to Bloomington when the Indiana Hoosiers’ head coaching position becomes available.
Lamont Paris, the head coach at South Carolina and a Findlay, Ohio native, is another serious contender. With the Gamecocks boasting a 24-5 record and sitting just one game behind Tennessee in the SEC, Paris is having a standout season and could bring his success to the Buckeyes.
Perhaps the biggest name on the list is Shawn Miller, a seasoned coach with 19 years of head coaching experience, including a successful tenure at Arizona. Miller recently returned to Xavier, leading the Musketeers to the Sweet 16 in his first season back. However, his coaching career is not without controversy, as he was fired by Arizona amid a scandal involving illegal payments orchestrated through aspiring sports agent Christian Dawkins.
A dark horse candidate in the mix is Josh Schertz, currently in his third season at Indiana State. With the Sycamores sitting at an impressive 26-5 this season, Schertz is a legendary Division II coach, drawing comparisons to the basketball version of Jim Tressel. He could bring a fresh perspective and success to a power-five school like Ohio State.
As the coaching search progresses, Ohio State must carefully consider each candidate’s strengths, experiences, and potential baggage. The decision will undoubtedly shape the future of the men’s basketball program and leave a lasting impact on the Buckeye Nation.
