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Report: Butler’s Chris Holtmann emerges as Ohio State frontrunner

By John Buhler

Jan 7, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Butler Bulldogs head coach Chris Holtmann looks onto the court during the first half against the Georgetown Hoyas at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Butler Bulldogs head coach Chris Holtmann looks onto the court during the first half against the Georgetown Hoyas at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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A new leader has emerged for the Ohio State Buckeyes men’s head coaching job: Butler Bulldogs men’s head coach Chris Holtmann. Is he the right guy for it?

When former Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Thad Matta stepped down on Monday, June 5, it seems that Ohio State University already knew who it wanted to be his replacement. Needless to say, the search has gone on for a few days with many popular candidates emerging.

While many top candidates like Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg, Creighton Bluejays head coach Greg McDermott and Golden State Warriors top assistant Mike Brown had been mentioned, it seems that the Buckeyes have keyed in on one guy as of Thursday night: Butler Bulldogs head coach Chris Holtmann.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, “Butler’s Chris Holtmann has emerged as the frontrunner for the Ohio State job.” Holtmann had spent the last three years in Indianapolis coaching the Bulldogs in the Big East. Is he ready for the challenges that lie ahead in Columbus?

Holtmann replaced the iconic Brad Stevens at Butler after Stevens left college basketball to go coach the NBA’s Boston Celtics. Before arriving in Indianapolis to serve as Stevens’ assistant for a year, Holtmann had been the head coach of the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs in the Big South.

Holtmann has a 114-85 record as a head college basketball coach, including a 70-31 mark while at Butler. His Bulldogs have gone a combined 34-20 in Big East play the last three years, having made the NCAA Tournament all three years he has been there. Butler reached the Sweet 16 in the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

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While the other coaches might be more popular names in the coaching circuit, it seems that Holtmann would certainly be capable of being the next head coach of the Buckeyes. Making the NCAA Tournament in a big basketball conference like the Big East should help Holtmann if he does get the job with Ohio State.