Ohio State introduces Jake Diebler as mens basketball coach [Video]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Before the Ohio State men’s basketball team begins its NIT journey, the Buckeyes got some official business done in the coaching department.

Outgoing athletic director Gene Smith and incoming athletic director Ross Bjork introduced Jake Diebler as the 15th head coach in program history in a news conference at the Schottenstein Center on Monday afternoon. Diebler was promoted from interim coach Sunday.

“Growing up, you have dreams and you never fully get to predict if or when those dreams will come true,” Diebler said in his opening remarks.

Diebler signed a five-year contract and is the first Ohio native to coach the men’s basketball team in 35 years after taking over for Chris Holtmann, who was fired on Feb. 14. “He just fits with where we are with this program right now,” said Bjork. “He is over prepared because he has been dreaming about this for a long time.”

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