COLUMBUS — Ohio State has hired Chris Holtmann to replace Thad Matta as its head men’s basketball coach, the Columbus Dispatch reported. A news conference is scheduled for Monday.
Holtmann, 45, has been the head coach at Butler the past three seasons, leading the Bulldogs to the NCAA tournament each season. In three career appearances, Holtmann’s never lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Matta, 49, coached at Ohio State for 13 seasons and is the school’s all-time wins leader.
The Indianapolis Star reported that Holtmann turned down Ohio State on Tuesday before reconsidering later in the week. Ohio State brass, including athletic director Gene Smith, were persistent in pursuing Holtmann, who was 70-31 at Butler.
Holtmann’s contract is reportedly eight years worth $3.1 million per year. He was making about ⅓ of that at Butler -- $1.2 million per year.
Holtmann was previously the head coach at Gardner-Webb, where he posted a record of 44-54 in three seasons.
The Nicholasville, Ky., native has twice been named conference coach of the year -- 2017 in the Big East and 2013 in the Big South. Holtmann is a graduate of Taylor University in Indiana.
Smith met with Creighton coach Greg McDermott on Wednesday, but McDermott made a statement Thursday that he would stay at the Omaha, Neb. school.
Matta and Brad Stevens are also former Butler head coaches.
First Published June 9, 2017, 2:35 p.m.
