Chris Holtmann’s hiatus from college basketball was brief, to say the least.
Shortly after parting ways with Ohio State as head coach, Holtmann wasted no time in finding a new home. On Thursday, DePaul University announced his appointment as the men’s basketball coach, signaling a new chapter for the Blue Demons’ program.
Their decision to bring in Holtmann stems from the urgent need to rejuvenate the team following a dismal 2023-24 season. Despite a valiant effort against Villanova in the Big East tournament, DePaul concluded the season with a disappointing 3-29 record.
DePaul found itself among a select few teams, including Cal Poly, Missouri, and Pacific, that endured winless conference campaigns. With a daunting 0-20 record in the Big East regular season, their last victory dated back to December 30 against Chicago State.
Following the dismissal of coach Tony Stubblefield in January, the team struggled under interim coach Matt Brady, suffering defeat in their final 14 games of the season.
Holtmann’s arrival at DePaul follows his departure from Ohio State in mid-February, as the Buckeyes struggled with a 4-10 record in the Big Ten and a 14-11 overall standing.
Despite the setback, Holtmann’s departure was cushioned by a substantial buyout of nearly $13 million, owing to his contract extending through 2028. While his tenure at Ohio State saw consistent NCAA tournament appearances in his first five seasons, the team faltered in the 2022-23 season with a 16-19 record.
However, under interim coach Jake Diebler, Ohio State showed resilience towards the end of the season, finishing with a commendable 5-1 record.
Holtmann’s challenge at DePaul is clear: to guide the Blue Demons back to the NCAA tournament, a feat they haven’t accomplished since 2004 when they were part of Conference USA. Despite joining the Big East in 2005, DePaul has struggled to establish a winning record in conference play.
Notably, Holtmann’s appointment comes after speculation surrounding Oklahoma coach Porter Moser’s potential move to DePaul was quashed. Moser, the former coach of Loyola Chicago, is currently in his third season with the Sooners, leaving DePaul to turn to Holtmann as their new leader.
