Ohio State fires Chris Holtmann

Ohio State fired head coach Chris Holtmann after parts of seven seasons, the school's senior vice president and outgoing athletics director Gene Smith announced Wednesday.

Associate head coach Jake Diebler will take over on an interim basis. He's in his fifth season on the Buckeyes' bench.

Incoming athletic director Ross Bjork will lead the search for Holtmann's successor at the end of the campaign.

"I want to express my appreciation toward Chris for the first-class program and the well-respected program he has run here at Ohio State," Smith said in a statement. "He and his wife, Lori, are wonderful people. I thank each of them for their seven years here in Columbus, and I wish them well."

Holtmann had four more years remaining on his contract and is owed $12.8 million.

The Buckeyes have struggled mightily this season, going 4-10 in Big Ten play and 14-11 overall.

Ohio State hired Holtmann in 2017 to replace longtime head coach Thad Matta.

Holtmann was coming off a strong three-year showing at Butler where he led the Bulldogs to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the Sweet 16 during the 2016-17 campaign.

Holtmann began his Buckeyes tenure with four NCAA Tournament appearances in his first five seasons. He was the recipient of the 2017-18 Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year award.

However, Ohio State never advanced to the second weekend of the tourney during Holtmann's time in charge. The 2022-23 campaign was the school's first losing season in nearly two decades.

The 52-year-old leaves Columbus with a 137-86 record.