The Ohio State basketball program doesn't have a long history of success. Unlike the football program, getting a sustained period of success has proved difficult. Recently, it has been tough for the Buckeyes to put players into the NBA, as well. There are only a few representatives still playing.
Mike Conley Jr., Jae'Sean Tate, and D'Angelo Russell are the only three left from the Thad Matta era in the league. Chris Holtmann only has Brice Sensabaugh left playing at the moment. Jake Diebler is hoping to change that in the near future and is hoping to get the Buckeyes back into a prominent program.
One former Ohio State coach has found success at the next level, however. Chris Jent was an assistant basketball coach under Thad Matta twice in two different stints. He's also a former player. Now, he can call himself an NBA champion, as he has won a title with the New York Knicks.
Former Ohio State player and coach Chris Jent wins a title
With the Knicks winning Game 5 in San Antonio, they have won their first title in 53 years. Jent was a part of that run, helping the Knicks as the associate head coach. That means he was the second man in charge, just behind head coach Mike Brown. Jent had a lot to do with this title.
This is the second NBA title that Jent has won. He got one as a player in 1994, ironically against the Knicks, as a member of the Rockets. Now, he gets to add to that as a coach. Now, Jent might have an opportunity to get an NBA head coaching job after next season.
Jent is 56 years old and has never had the opportunity to be a head coach at any level. It's clear he prefers coaching in the NBA, as the only time he has coached in college was with the Ohio State Buckeyes. The conclusion of next season might be his best chance to get a head coaching offer.
The Ohio State basketball program can learn from Jent's resiliency
As the Buckeyes try to become a national force once more, they can learn from Jent's resilience. He has waited his turn and worked hard to get where he is. Now, he is a champion. The players can learn from that, as well. Diebler knows that his players need to have the same kind of work ethic.
Getting his guys in a good position to succeed is Diebler's job. As a head coach, he has had ample time to learn how to coach in tough situations over the last few years. Now, it's time for him to produce some results. Fans have expectations of actually winning in the NCAA Tournament now.
Jent winning a championship shows that the Buckeyes have the opportunity to be successful if they can persevere through tough times throughout the season. That's what the Knicks did this season, and now they are the champions of the basketball world. Now, it's time for the Buckeyes to do the same.
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