Ryan Day Head Coach Of Ohio State Just Announced his Departure
Diebler will have a five-year contract as the program’s fifteenth head coach in men’s basketball history.
Columbus, Ohio – Jake Diebler has been appointed head coach of the Ohio State men’s basketball program, according to a statement released today by Senior Advisor for Intercollegiate Athletics Ross Bjork. Diebler will be given a five-year contract, making him the program’s fifteenth head coach in history.
“After conducting an extensive and comprehensive search for a new head coach, we believe Jake Diebler possesses all of the qualities we were looking for,” Bjork stated. These include enthusiasm, drive, program expertise, coaching prowess, ethics, and ties to Ohio. Jake has a strong connection to Ohio State, is a native of the state, and has coached high schools in Ohio for a long time. He knows what it takes to steer this program toward championship success.
“I want to express my gratitude to Dan Cloran, our executive associate athletic director, for his tireless work throughout our search. He is in charge of our men’s basketball program.”
In his ninth season at Ohio State, Diebler is the first Ohioan to be chosen head coach in 35 years. On February 14, he was designated the acting head coach, and in the final month of the season, he guided the Buckeyes to a 6-2 record. The first of those six victories came on February 19 against No. 2 Purdue in his first game as interim coach, and it happened in an incredible way. After losing its following game away to Minnesota, Ohio State went on to win five straight: against Nebraska, at Michigan, at Rutgers, at Michigan State, and against Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament’s second round.
Despite playing a fantastic quarterfinal game against Illinois, the Big Ten tournament champion, the team lost on Friday, 77-74. Overall, the Buckeyes are 20-13.
“Every time we considered what would be best for the program during the search, it led us back to Jake,” Bjork remarked. “He has led the program in an exemplary manner since February 14 and this is just the beginning for Buckeye Basketball.” It will be fascinating to watch him run this program in the future.
President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. commented, “Our Buckeyes have rallied and shown true grit on the court with Coach Diebler, who has exhibited impressive leadership with the team.” “He’s been an inspiration to the players in addition to his several victories since taking over as temporary head coach. After getting to know Jake, I have no doubt that he will lead the team brilliantly going forward.
Diebler began his career with Ohio State basketball in 2014, working for three seasons as Thad Matta’s staff video coordinator. Prior to the 2019–20 season, he rejoined Ohio State as Chris Holtmann’s assistant coach following three seasons as an assistant coach at Vanderbilt. Before the 2021–2022 season, he was then elevated to associate head coach.
“Serving this program is a blessing and a privilege, and I’m thrilled about this chance,” Diebler remarked. “I want to express my gratitude to President Carter and Ross Bjork for their support of my future goals. For my family and I, Ohio State basketball holds great significance and is very meaningful. I’m excited to provide the best support I can to the Ohio State basketball family as a whole.
Diebler is still the OHSAA career leader in assists and steals after an outstanding three seasons at Fostoria High School and one at Upper Sandusky High School. After that, he played for head coach Homer Drew for four seasons at Valparaiso from 2006 to 2009. Throughout his final three seasons, Diebler, who was regarded as one of the program’s hardest workers, started all 98 games for the Crusaders, setting a record for Valparaiso Division I. In the latter part of his senior season, he also played seven games in a row for 278 continuous minutes.
He worked as a graduate assistant and an assistant coach under Bryce Drew for three more seasons at Valparaiso after earning his degree in marketing in 2009. After that, he worked with Drew at Vanderbilt from 2016 to19, spending three seasons as an assistant coach.
He assisted in mentoring D’Angelo Russell, the No. 2 overall choice in the 2015 NBA Draft and a first-team All-American, as well as Aaron Craft, the 2014 National Defensive Player of the Year, while serving as the video coordinator at Ohio State.
The Diebler family is deeply involved in coaching. For nearly 40 years, his father Keith coached high school basketball in Ohio, and his older brother Jeremiah did the same. At Butler University, his younger brother Jon serves as the director of recruiting.
Jake has a young boy named Jackson as well as two young daughters, Jaymes and Jessa, who are also from Columbus and were graduates of Ohio State. Jake’s wife was previously Jordyn Ellwood. In July of this year, the couple will have a fourth child.
