Chris Holtmann is out as head coach of the Ohio State basketball program

Well, that was quick! Soon after rumors were floating around that Chris Holtmann could be fired as the head coach of the Ohio State basketball team, the news has officially come down. Holtmann is officially out as the coach. He made it 6+ seasons with the Buckeyes.

Holtmann was fired just a day after the Buckeyes tied a program record with 16 straight road losses. They haven't won a road game since the first of January in 2023. Not only that, but the Buckeyes haven't looked good on the road in almost any game this season.

Ohio State never made it past the second round of the NCAA Tournament under Holtmann. In his final two seasons, the Buckeyes didn't even make it to the NCAA Tournament. That's embarrassing considering the number of resources this program has to offer.

Holtmann gets a massive buyout in excess of $17 million now that he's been let go. The buyout is a product of a terrible extension that Gene Smith gave him a few years ago before he ever proved he deserved it. It's clear that was a massive mistake.

Smith is trying to make up for that mistake now by firing Holtmann. He will get with incoming AD Ross Bjork to determine who the next coach should be for the Ohio State basketball program. They need someone who has a track record of developing players on the court and managing basketball situations, something Holtmann clearly lacked.

As for who could lead the Buckeyes for the rest of the season, it will likely be Jake Diebler, who is an assistant on the current staff. Bjork and Smith will likely look to hire someone outside the program to serve as a bridge to the new era of Ohio State basketball.

This day couldn't come soon enough for Buckeye fans.