The Ohio State University’s men’s basketball team is embarking on a promising new chapter with a newly appointed coaching team at the helm. Following the appointment of Jake Diebler as head coach, the program swiftly moved to overhaul its coaching staff by bringing in a combination of seasoned and up-and-coming talent.
Diebler, a native of Ohio and the 15th head coach in the school’s history, assumed the role after the departure of Chris Holtmann. The team’s successful finish to the 2023-24 season set the stage for Diebler to focus on player recruitment and the assembly of a new group of assistant coaches. In rapid succession, Dave Dickerson, Luke Simons, Jamall Walker, and Joel Justus were recruited, indicating a proactive start to the offseason.
Dickerson’s return to Ohio State comes after seven seasons in Columbus under Thad Matta, as well as a stint as the head coach of Tulane. Simons, who previously collaborated with Diebler at Vanderbilt, joins the team after serving as Baylor’s basketball operations director. Walker, renowned for his coaching experience at Grand Canyon, is poised to bring a wealth of Big Ten and recruiting expertise to the new coaching lineup. Justus, fresh off the Final Four as the assistant coach for North Carolina State, also brings a wealth of experience from his time at Arizona State and Kentucky.
With an entirely new coaching staff, coupled with the recent appointment of Ross Bjork as athletic director and Diebler as head coach, Ohio State’s basketball fans can anticipate an exhilarating season at the Schottenstein Center. The team will commence the 2024-25 season with a match against Texas at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on November 4, offering Buckeye supporters a firsthand preview of the Diebler era.
The addition of new faces to the coaching staff, alongside the team’s revitalized sense of purpose, has generated anticipation for an enthralling chapter in Ohio State basketball. Fans and supporters eagerly await the upcoming season, keen to witness the impact that this new coaching lineup will have on the team’s performance.
With a remarkable blend of experienced mentors and fresh talent, Diebler and his revamped coaching team are poised to guide Ohio State’s men’s basketball team to new heights, instilling hope and excitement among the Buckeye faithful.