DePaul to Hire Ex-Ohio State Coach Chris Holtmann, per Source
DePaul is expected to hire Chris Holtmann as their new head coach, CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein first reported and SI’s Pat Forde confirmed Thursday. DePaul is giving Holtmann a six-year contract, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Holtmann was most recently the head coach at Ohio State, going 137–86 with the Buckeyes over parts of seven seasons. He led Ohio State to five 20-win campaigns and four NCAA tournament appearances, but was fired midway through this season after a 14–11 record to begin the year.
Previously, Holtmann got his start as the head coach at Gardner-Webb for three years from 2010 to ‘13, then spent three seasons at Butler from 2014 to ‘17. He led the Bulldogs to the NCAA tournament in each season with the program before leaving for Columbus.
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA Today sports
DePaul has had a rough stretch recently, failing to make the NCAA tournament since 2004 despite moving to the Big East in 2005. The Blue Demons went 3–29 this season, including 0–20 in Big East play, leading to DePaul firing coach Tony Stubblefield in January.
Holtmann will be DePaul’s eighth head coach since last playing in March Madness.