As this very disappointing Ohio State basketball season has spun its way into our television sets and streaming devices, some very vocal fans and media members have wanted to turn the page on head coach Chris Holtmann.
There’s no way around it. This is one of the worst Buckeye basketball seasons in the history of the program and folks are fed up. Through it all, nobody has asked the man that’s surely taken his bumps and bruises this year about how it has landed on him and whether he’s fully committed to Ohio State. After all, despite the wet noodle of a season we’ve seen this year, his name has surfaced for job openings recently.
Buy Buckeyes TicketsAfter the victory over Illinois on Sunday, Hotlmann was not only asked about this season and what a win means for him, the players, and the future, but he was also asked about his commitment level to the Ohio State program. His answer was honest and rather straightforward without a mincing of words or beating around the bush.
“Yes, absolutely. I love it here.” Holtmann responded. “I love it here, and (athletic director) Gene (Smith) and I have been very open about our plan in terms of moving forward, and what our plan was after last year with somewhat of a rebuild roster. What that was gonna look like, how young we’re gonna be, our commitment to playing young guys — to backing it up with another young class.
“It’s a little bit hard to do sometimes when you’re going into Year 6, and you’re saying, ‘Hey, we’re gonna philosophically look at how we want to build this thing to give us maybe our greatest potential as a program. But I think we have played our young guys. We have another class coming, and there is some real excitement in that amid the tremendous disappointment with how some things have gone.”
Asked for clarification on whether that was a firm commitment, Holtmann, without hesitation responded emphatically with, “absolutely.”
Now, some Ohio State fans probably aren’t too thrilled to hear that a coach they probably want to be shown the door is reaffirming his love and dedication to remaining the head coach at OSU, but it’s still good to know that Holtmann is in it for the long haul despite going through such a horrendous and challenging season in the eyes of many.
Remember, Gene Smith already provided a vote of confidence, saying that Holtmann would be Ohio State’s “coach of the future,” so it sure feels and sounds like all parties are on the same page and looking toward better days on the banks of the Olentangy.
Or, at least for now.
One thing is certain though; another year anything like what we’ve all witnessed this season will likely change a lot of that, especially with another very talented freshman class getting ready to arrive on campus. Reinforcements are coming, and the victories better follow.
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