Ohio State Targeting Interim Coach Jake Diebler for Full-Time Job, per Report

Diebler went 6-2 in the interim role, which included a home upset of No. 2 Purdue.

Ohio State is targeting interim coach Jake Diebler as its next head men’s basketball coach, according to a report from Jeff Goodman of Field of 64.

Diebler took over for Chris Holtmann, who was dismissed in February. Since stepping into the interim position, Diebler led the Buckeyes to a 6–2 record down the stretch of the regular season, which included an upset victory over No. 2 Purdue in his first game in the role.

Ohio State lost in Friday’s Big Ten tournament quarterfinal to No. 13 Illinois. It is unclear if the Buckeyes will play in the NIT or CBI, but the program will likely miss the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive season.

The Ohio State job would be Diebler’s first head-coaching gig. The 37-year-old has been an assistant coach since his playing career at Valparaiso ended in 2009. He was hired onto Holtmann’s staff ahead of the 2019-20 season.