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LGHL You’re Nuts: Who is your wildest choice for Ohio State men’s basketball coach?
- News
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You’re Nuts: Who is your wildest choice for Ohio State men’s basketball coach?
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images
Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
Even though Ohio State’s men’s basketball team has wins over Purdue and Michigan State recently, it feels like the biggest question surrounding the team right now is who will be named head coach once the season ends. A couple of weeks ago Ohio State decided it was time to move on from head coach Chris Holtmann, leaving assistant coach Jake Diebler to finish out the season. Despite the Buckeyes upsetting the Boilermakers, as well as snapping a school-record road losing streak on Sunday at Michigan State, it’s hard to imagine Diebler having the interim tag removed from his job title once the season ends.
Since Ohio State is one of the most attractive jobs in the country, there are already candidates being linked with the position. Former Buckeyes Chris Jent and Scoonie Penn have already stated their interest in coming back to Columbus to take over as head coach. Once the college basketball season winds down there is sure to be even more current college basketball head coaches who will be eager to take on the challenge of restoring Ohio State to basketball glory. South Carolina head coach Lamont Paris and Xavier’s Sean Miller are a couple of coaches that have already been talked about as possible replacements for Holtmann.
Today we are going to have a bit of fun with the head coaching search. We want to know who your wildest choice for Ohio State men’s basketball head coach is. This could be a former player, former assistant, or maybe a high-profile coach who is likely a pipe dream for the head coaching position in Columbus. Obviously, these coaching choices are meant for entertainment purposes only, and shouldn’t be taken seriously. We just wanted to introduce a little bit of fun chaos before the real candidates are vetted.
Even though Craft has no coaching experience, there is a bit of coaching in his blood since his father was the coach of a junior high basketball team. Because of his father’s position, the Ohio State guard would end up participating in defensive drills while he was in just second and third grade, which helps to explain why Craft was so tenacious on defense throughout his basketball career. Craft would go on to become one of the most beloved Buckeyes in school history, and one of the most hated college basketball players when it comes to the rest of the country.
Not that former players taking head coaching positions is anything new, but recently there has been a number of notable former players taking head coaching positions. Duke hired Jon Scheyer to take over for Coach K when he retired, Georgia Tech hired Damon Stoudemire after last season, and Cal did the same when they brought in Mark Madsen. Just make sure if you’re going to hire a former player as head coach, it doesn’t go as sideways as it has with Michigan and Juwan Howard.
Another reason why Craft would be an interesting head coaching choice is he is highly intelligent, as evidenced by being accepted into Ohio State’s medical school. If Craft is able to handle dealing with making decisions that might mean life or death for patients, he should be able to easily handle recruiting, NIL, the transfer portal, and the rest of the obstacles that come with being a head coach in college sports. Plus, it would be amazing to see how the rest of the fans of Big Ten teams reacted to having Craft back on the college basketball scene after they thought they had seen the last of him a decade ago as a player.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25308062/usa_today_22308211.jpg "Syndication: The Enquirer")
Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
Look, I was seriously considering going with Thad Matta. He is back at Butler, looks healthy, and has the Bulldogs above .500. Remember, Thad is only in his mid-50s, so he’s got plenty of coaching still left in him, and given the fervor from fans to return to the time when he had the Buckeyes competing for Big Ten and national titles on a regular basis, I think a not-insignificant portion of Buckeye Nation would be on board for a Matta return.
However, The Columbus Dispatch men’s basketball beat writer Adam Jardy beat me to it, so my initially silly, off-the-wall suggestion lacks the impact I had hoped for. So, I am going to pivot to a guy currently on Matta’s staff. The one and only Greg Oden.
When it comes to a former player becoming the MBB coach, I would prefer the point guard of my first few teams as an OSU student Scoonie Penn, or my childhood basketball idol Chris Jent, but since both have been reportedly interested in the position, I don’t think that they could be considered “wild choices.”
So, give me the big man. He is Ohio State’s only No. 1 NBA draft pick, he played nine years of professional basketball, and he has worked on staff at both Ohio State and Butler — not to mention with Carmen’s Crew. Oden currently serves as the director of basketball operations for Matta’s program.
Yeah, sure, incoming OSU athletic director Ross Bjork has stressed that coaching experience — including as a head coach — will be important in the hiring of Chris Holtmann’s replacement, but come on, it’s Greg Oden. He would be uniquely equipped to talk about the issues impacting modern athletes, both physically and emotionally. Very few players have had to deal with their bodies letting them down and the shame and doubt that surrounds those circumstances.
He knows what it’s like to succeed at a high level at college and to have huge amounts of money thrown at you; while he didn’t play in the NIL era, few players turned coaches probably understand the thought process of dealing with those opportunities better than Oden.
Can Oden actually coach? I don’t know. Is he prepared to be the head coach of a major Big Ten program? Almost certainly not. But at least he’s been a part of multiple college basketball coaching staffs, unlikely Brett’s pick of Dr. Craft!
Continue reading...
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images
Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
Even though Ohio State’s men’s basketball team has wins over Purdue and Michigan State recently, it feels like the biggest question surrounding the team right now is who will be named head coach once the season ends. A couple of weeks ago Ohio State decided it was time to move on from head coach Chris Holtmann, leaving assistant coach Jake Diebler to finish out the season. Despite the Buckeyes upsetting the Boilermakers, as well as snapping a school-record road losing streak on Sunday at Michigan State, it’s hard to imagine Diebler having the interim tag removed from his job title once the season ends.
Since Ohio State is one of the most attractive jobs in the country, there are already candidates being linked with the position. Former Buckeyes Chris Jent and Scoonie Penn have already stated their interest in coming back to Columbus to take over as head coach. Once the college basketball season winds down there is sure to be even more current college basketball head coaches who will be eager to take on the challenge of restoring Ohio State to basketball glory. South Carolina head coach Lamont Paris and Xavier’s Sean Miller are a couple of coaches that have already been talked about as possible replacements for Holtmann.
Today we are going to have a bit of fun with the head coaching search. We want to know who your wildest choice for Ohio State men’s basketball head coach is. This could be a former player, former assistant, or maybe a high-profile coach who is likely a pipe dream for the head coaching position in Columbus. Obviously, these coaching choices are meant for entertainment purposes only, and shouldn’t be taken seriously. We just wanted to introduce a little bit of fun chaos before the real candidates are vetted.
Today’s question: Who is your wildest choice for the Ohio State men’s basketball head coaching position?
We’d love to hear your choices. Either respond to us on Twitter at @Landgrant33 or leave your choice in the comments.
Brett’s answer: Aaron Craft
Even though Craft has no coaching experience, there is a bit of coaching in his blood since his father was the coach of a junior high basketball team. Because of his father’s position, the Ohio State guard would end up participating in defensive drills while he was in just second and third grade, which helps to explain why Craft was so tenacious on defense throughout his basketball career. Craft would go on to become one of the most beloved Buckeyes in school history, and one of the most hated college basketball players when it comes to the rest of the country.
Not that former players taking head coaching positions is anything new, but recently there has been a number of notable former players taking head coaching positions. Duke hired Jon Scheyer to take over for Coach K when he retired, Georgia Tech hired Damon Stoudemire after last season, and Cal did the same when they brought in Mark Madsen. Just make sure if you’re going to hire a former player as head coach, it doesn’t go as sideways as it has with Michigan and Juwan Howard.
Another reason why Craft would be an interesting head coaching choice is he is highly intelligent, as evidenced by being accepted into Ohio State’s medical school. If Craft is able to handle dealing with making decisions that might mean life or death for patients, he should be able to easily handle recruiting, NIL, the transfer portal, and the rest of the obstacles that come with being a head coach in college sports. Plus, it would be amazing to see how the rest of the fans of Big Ten teams reacted to having Craft back on the college basketball scene after they thought they had seen the last of him a decade ago as a player.
Matt’s answer: Greg Oden
Look, I was seriously considering going with Thad Matta. He is back at Butler, looks healthy, and has the Bulldogs above .500. Remember, Thad is only in his mid-50s, so he’s got plenty of coaching still left in him, and given the fervor from fans to return to the time when he had the Buckeyes competing for Big Ten and national titles on a regular basis, I think a not-insignificant portion of Buckeye Nation would be on board for a Matta return.
However, The Columbus Dispatch men’s basketball beat writer Adam Jardy beat me to it, so my initially silly, off-the-wall suggestion lacks the impact I had hoped for. So, I am going to pivot to a guy currently on Matta’s staff. The one and only Greg Oden.
When it comes to a former player becoming the MBB coach, I would prefer the point guard of my first few teams as an OSU student Scoonie Penn, or my childhood basketball idol Chris Jent, but since both have been reportedly interested in the position, I don’t think that they could be considered “wild choices.”
So, give me the big man. He is Ohio State’s only No. 1 NBA draft pick, he played nine years of professional basketball, and he has worked on staff at both Ohio State and Butler — not to mention with Carmen’s Crew. Oden currently serves as the director of basketball operations for Matta’s program.
Yeah, sure, incoming OSU athletic director Ross Bjork has stressed that coaching experience — including as a head coach — will be important in the hiring of Chris Holtmann’s replacement, but come on, it’s Greg Oden. He would be uniquely equipped to talk about the issues impacting modern athletes, both physically and emotionally. Very few players have had to deal with their bodies letting them down and the shame and doubt that surrounds those circumstances.
He knows what it’s like to succeed at a high level at college and to have huge amounts of money thrown at you; while he didn’t play in the NIL era, few players turned coaches probably understand the thought process of dealing with those opportunities better than Oden.
Can Oden actually coach? I don’t know. Is he prepared to be the head coach of a major Big Ten program? Almost certainly not. But at least he’s been a part of multiple college basketball coaching staffs, unlikely Brett’s pick of Dr. Craft!
Continue reading...
LGHL Marvin Harrison Jr. won’t test at the NFL Combine, nor does he need to
- News
- 0 Replies
Marvin Harrison Jr. won’t test at the NFL Combine, nor does he need to
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.
Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.
Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.
You’re welcome!
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
Marvin Harrison Jr. Is a Prospect Training for the 2024 NFL Season—Not the Combine
Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated
Who’s the latest key person Ohio State has plucked from Alabama?
Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch
Petitto hiring a big win for the Buckeyes (paywall)
Bill Kurelic, Bucknuts
You’re Nuts: Who will be Ohio State’s highest-rated player in EA Sports College Football 25?
Josh Dooley and Gene Ross, Land-Grant Holy Land
James Laurinaitis brings ‘been there, done that’ player perspective to new coaching role (paywall)
Tim May, Lettermen Row
Certainly not ideal:
Five Position Battles to Watch During Ohio State’s 2024 Spring Practices
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
Five questions for Ohio State’s running backs heading into spring practice (paywall)
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
Three Questions for Ohio State running backs heading into spring (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes
College Football Playoff expansion talk premature with 12-team model still to come
Michael Citro, Land-Grant Holy Land
How the turns have tabled: Bonner’s big shot finally put Ohio State on the other side of heartbreak
Connor Lemons, Land-Grant Holy Land
Scarlet Sunrise: Jamison Battle injury not expected to be long term
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row
Could a Thad Matta return make sense for Ohio State basketball?
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Two Big Wins Renew NCAA Tournament Hopes for Ohio State, Though Its Path Is a Narrow One
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors
The former OSU staffer is absolutely correct:
Ohio State freshman Devin Royal steps up, breaks out at Michigan State
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row
Women’s Basketball: Ohio State stays at No. 2 in Week 17 AP Poll rankings
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
USG Passes Resolution Encouraging University to Give Students Discounted Tickets for 2025 NHL Stadium Series
Grant Lieberman, The Lantern
Women’s Ice Hockey: Kirk Named WCHA Goaltender of the Week
Ohio State Athletics
Over Dave Thomas’ dead body... oh wait...
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.
Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.
Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.
You’re welcome!
For your Earholes...
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On the Gridiron
Marvin Harrison Jr. Is a Prospect Training for the 2024 NFL Season—Not the Combine
Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated
Who’s the latest key person Ohio State has plucked from Alabama?
Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch
Petitto hiring a big win for the Buckeyes (paywall)
Bill Kurelic, Bucknuts
You’re Nuts: Who will be Ohio State’s highest-rated player in EA Sports College Football 25?
Josh Dooley and Gene Ross, Land-Grant Holy Land
James Laurinaitis brings ‘been there, done that’ player perspective to new coaching role (paywall)
Tim May, Lettermen Row
Certainly not ideal:
Five Position Battles to Watch During Ohio State’s 2024 Spring Practices
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
Five questions for Ohio State’s running backs heading into spring practice (paywall)
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
Three Questions for Ohio State running backs heading into spring (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes
College Football Playoff expansion talk premature with 12-team model still to come
Michael Citro, Land-Grant Holy Land
On the Hardwood
How the turns have tabled: Bonner’s big shot finally put Ohio State on the other side of heartbreak
Connor Lemons, Land-Grant Holy Land
Scarlet Sunrise: Jamison Battle injury not expected to be long term
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row
Could a Thad Matta return make sense for Ohio State basketball?
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Two Big Wins Renew NCAA Tournament Hopes for Ohio State, Though Its Path Is a Narrow One
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors
The former OSU staffer is absolutely correct:
Ohio State freshman Devin Royal steps up, breaks out at Michigan State
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row
Women’s Basketball: Ohio State stays at No. 2 in Week 17 AP Poll rankings
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
Outside the Shoe and Schott
USG Passes Resolution Encouraging University to Give Students Discounted Tickets for 2025 NHL Stadium Series
Grant Lieberman, The Lantern
Women’s Ice Hockey: Kirk Named WCHA Goaltender of the Week
Ohio State Athletics
And now for something completely different...
Over Dave Thomas’ dead body... oh wait...
Continue reading...
