Ohio State coaching search: Notable names emerge as Buckeyes get a jump on coaching carousel
Ohio State reportedly parted ways with Chris Holtmann on Wednesday, and now the Buckeyes will turn their attention to the hiring market with an appealing opening to sell.
Along with being in the Big Ten, the Ohio State job also is known for having a healthy NIL environment, and strong resources.
Among the names already floated as possibilities for Ohio State are Creighton’s Greg McDermott, Xavier’s Sean Miller, Alabama’s Nate Oats, South Carolina’s Lamont Paris, Florida Atlantic’s Dusty May, UCLA’s Mick Cronin and Oklahoma’s Porter Moser.
All of those coaches except for Miller and Cronin are leading ranked teams this week.
Miller already coaches in the Buckeye State, and Cronin has a history there as a Cincinnati native who attended UC and coached the Bearcats as a head coach and assistant under Bob Huggins.
Paris is the hottest coach in the SEC, and will most likely receive widespread coach of the year honors. Paris also grew up in Ohio, and was a Wisconsin assistant from 2010-17. May was a hot name last season after he led the Owls to the Final Four.
Other possible names include Charleston’s Pat Kelsey, Cincinnati’s Wes Miller, McNeese State coach Will Wade, who previously coached at LSU, Drake’s Darian DeVries and Chris Mack, who is not employed currently as a coach, but previously coached Louisville and Xavier.
Ohio State’s candidate pool is probably deeper than Louisville’s as far as reasonable options.
Greg McDermott
Sean Miller
Nate Oats
Lamont Paris
Dusty May
Mick Cronin
Porter MoserHealthy NIL and resources. A sitting high major coach will take this one.
— Trilly Donovan (@trillydonovan) February 14, 2024