'Absolutely': Coach Chris Holtmann Confirms Commitment to Ohio State

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Chris Holtmann plans on staying in Columbus after this season despite his name being tied to other coaching vacancies.

Last week, Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Chris Holtmann was asked if he expects to be in Columbus next season.

His one-word answer: "Sure."

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Chris Holtmann said he expects to be the Buckeyes’ coach next season #marchmadness #ohiostate #columbus #ohiostatebasketball

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After Sunday's 72-60 win against the Illinois Fighting Illini, Holtmann was again asked if he was committed to remaining as Ohio State's skipper next season, despite having his name linked to other head coaching vacancies.

There was a little more affirmation in his voice this time around.

"Yes, absolutely. I love it here," Holtmann said. "Gene and I have been very open about our plan in terms of moving forward and what our plan was after last year with somewhat of a rebuilt roster, what that was going to look like, how young we were going to be, our commitment to playing young guys to backing that up with another young class."

The Buckeyes have obviously not had the season they were hoping for, sitting 13th in the Big Ten just over a week away from the conference tournament.

Holtmann said it was "a little bit hard" to shift his mindset into rebuild mode entering his sixth year at the helm, but that he thinks brighter days are ahead for the program.

Ohio State has started four freshmen in each of the last three games and currently has the No. 8 recruiting class in 2023, according to 247Sports.

"I think we have played our young guys, we have another good class coming and there is some real excitement in that amidst the tremendous disappointment with how some things have gone," Holtmann said.

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