College basketball fans, media react to Ohio State's reported decision to fire Chris Holtmann
College basketball’s coaching carousel for 2024 officially got underway on Wednesday as Ohio State reportedly made the decision to part ways with head coach Chris Holtmann.
The move by Ohio State comes after the Buckeyes fell 62-54 to Wisconsin on Tuesday night in Madison. The Badgers had lost 4 consecutive games prior to facing Ohio State.
Holtmann spent nearly 7 seasons as Ohio State’s head coach. His tenure got off to a good start with 4 NCAA Tournaments to begin his Ohio State career. However, the Buckeyes never made it to the second weekend of the Big Dance under Holtmann.
Ohio State is set to miss the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive year. The Buckeyes are just 4-10 in Big Ten play this season after falling to Wisconsin on Tuesday night.
Ohio State will owe a hefty buyout to Holtmann. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Ohio State will owe nearly $14 million to their now-former head coach. Holtmann’s contract was set to run through the 2027-28 season.
Here’s some of the reaction to Ohio State’s decision to fire Holtmann:
Hate it for Holt who is a great dude and I will root for wherever he ends up. Also don't fully love that we did it mid-season.
But the bottom has fallen out of the program. Zero juice whatsoever. Had to be done eventually.
Doing emergency @MarkTitusShow pod now, will post ASAP https://t.co/4tWfgjaS7J
— Mark Titus (@clubtrillion) February 14, 2024
Coach Holtmann is one of the nicest guys around, felt like this ending was inevitable after last season, I believe his coaching story is far from over
— Tate Frazier (@tatefrazier) February 14, 2024
Chris Holtmann is out at Ohio State, sources told ESPN. Was nearing the end of his seventh season in Columbus. Went to four NCAA tournaments, but went 5-15 in Big Ten play last season and the Buckeyes are 4-10 in league play this season. Haven’t won a road game since Jan. 2023.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) February 14, 2024
Gene Smith and Chris Holtmann meeting up in Mexico once the buyout check clears pic.twitter.com/SMIeFuTIMm
— THE Bunch of Nuts Podcast (@bunch_nuts) February 14, 2024
Wish Holtmann the best, just didn’t work out in Columbus. Now do the right thing and go offer Jay Wright a contract he can’t refuse pic.twitter.com/UokYV6acfq
— Aragorn (@EvilKoopa91) February 14, 2024
Chris Holtmann is one of the most pleasant people I've met in basketball, and a terrific coach. It ultimately did not work at Ohio State, for a variety of reasons.
I know there still are good things in his basketball future.— Michael DeCourcy (@tsnmike) February 14, 2024
Holtmann is one of the nicest people I have come across in this business
Feel for him, and his players, but a fresh start will be good for all parties
Bruce Thornton, Roddy Gayle, Scotty Middleton will be major names to keep an eye on if they enter the portal https://t.co/a8M9FG2g54
— Greg Waddell (@gwizzy12) February 14, 2024
Chris Holtmann is a good dude. But I can't remember the Ohio State men's basketball program being this nationally irrelevant in my lifetime.
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) February 14, 2024
Some snaps from the Holtmann era. Beating that school , Cincy and Villanova my senior year are highlights I’ll forever remember #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/CwkcMKNWmv
— eric amerine (@amerine1000) February 14, 2024
Better late than never..
Wish Holtmann all the best buttttt ✌️ https://t.co/LOUwcQ5OTq pic.twitter.com/BZ5a32Rltm
— Nick Paulus (@NickPaulus) February 14, 2024