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Ohio State coaching rumors: Greg McDermott meeting with Buckeyes Wednesday night

By John Buhler

Feb 28, 2017; Omaha, NE, USA; Creighton Bluejays head coach Greg McDermott reacts during the game against the St. John's Red Storm at CenturyLink Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; Omaha, NE, USA; Creighton Bluejays head coach Greg McDermott reacts during the game against the St. John's Red Storm at CenturyLink Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Ohio State Buckeyes plan to hire Thad Matta’s replacement soon. They are meeting with Creighton Bluejays head coach Greg McDermott on Wednesday night.

It seems that the Ohio State Buckeyes will be filling their head coaching vacancy left by Thad Matta’s retirement very quickly. While Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg and Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Buzz Williams seem to be possible candidates for the job, one other name has emerged on Wednesday: Creighton Bluejays head coach Greg McDermott.

Not only is McDermott a coaching candidate to replace Matta, but he is actually visiting Ohio State University on Wednesday night. Could McDermott leave a good situation in Creighton for possibly a better one in Ohio State?

McDermott has been the Bluejays head coach for the last seven years. His first four years in Omaha saw him coaching his son Doug McDermott. The younger McDermott would go on to be a starting small forward in the NBA for Chicago and currently the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Before arriving in Omaha to lead the Bluejays, the elder McDermott had spent four underwhelming years with the Iowa State Cyclones (2006-10), but had five solid years with the Northern Iowa Panthers (2001-06) before that.

At Creighton, McDermott has gone 165-81 overall and 36-34 in conference play. Creighton would go on to join the new Big East in 2013-14. The Bluejays have made the NCAA Tournament four times since McDermott arrived in Omaha.

Hiring McDermott could happen, as Hoiberg may want to stay in Chicago and Williams in Blacksburg. McDermott has proven that he can take a mid-major program to the NCAA Tournament on multiple occasions, but has never gotten to the Sweet 16 as a head coach.

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Ohio State has a proud basketball tradition. Replacing Matta will not be easy. McDermott could be better in his next go-around at a major university, but his time in Ames with Iowa State didn’t move the needle. However, coaching a highly competitive Creighton team in the Big East could amplify his candidacy.