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You’re Nuts: Who should Jake Diebler hire to replace Talor Battle?
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Jardy/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
There’s an open spot on the coaching staff, but Diebler isn’t going to rush to fill it.
Welcome back to the 199th edition of You’re Nuts, where two of Land-Grant Holy Land’s college basketball writers debate a variety of hotly contested topics that (usually) fall under the subject of college hoops.
We’re officially in the off-season now, with the Florida Gators being crowned champions on Monday night, nearly a full month after Ohio State’s season ended. The Buckeyes are nearly done working in the transfer portal, having added former Santa Clara center Christoph Tilly, former Wright State forward Brandon Noel, and former Indiana guard Gabe Cupps. They may add another player at some point as well to add a bit of shooting to the perimeter.
Last week, Connor and Justin debated if Bruce Thornton, who is expected to return to Ohio State for his senior year — per Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler — will beat the program’s all-time scoring record, currently held by Dennis Hopson. Thornton is currently 610 points away, and has never scored 600 points in one season before.
By a pretty strong margin, the readers sided with Justin, who said that no, Thornton will not pass Hopson’s record. 68% of the people agreed with him, while the remaining 32% were on Connor’s side.
Connor- 89
While Ohio State has a mostly full roster, there is a clear vacancy on the coaching staff. Former Penn State legend Talor Battle was offered a spot on Mike Rhoades’ staff, so the program’s all-time leading scorer packed his bags and headed back to Happy Valley.
At some point, Diebler will fill that spot with another assistant coach, but it doesn’t sound like that’s the priority at this point in the off-season. There are several directions he could go, but here are two of our guesses.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25948555/usa_today_17820454.jpg "Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch")
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Seth Towns would be, in my opinion, a great person to have on staff at Ohio State. Since Battle was the least experienced coach on staff last year — and not the highest compensated — I do not think Diebler will necessarily go after some well-known associate head coach or top assistant with decades of experience.
Battle was responsible for opponent scouting each week, as well as in-game assignments and adjustments. Battle was the main assistant coach who compiled film and statistics on the opposing team and helped prepare during video sessions and practice. He helped on the floor, too, but his main responsibility was game preparation.
Towns holds degrees from Harvard and Ohio State, and began working on a PhD at Howard. He’s one of the brightest guys to come through the program in many years, and would be an asset to Diebler and his staff. Towns is also from Columbus, is very familiar with Ohio High School basketball, and could grow into a solid recruiter with experience.
It's not meant to be a knock on Seth, but I also anticipate Diebler seeking out a young coach who does not need to be compensated as much as (or more than at least) Battle was. That takes many experienced coaches out of contention but gives Diebler the opportunity to bring a younger, up-and-coming coach into the mix.
Towns just finished his first year on staff at Harvard under Tommy Amaker. He’s a former Ivy League Player of the Year, and it could come down to the question of how much Towns values Howard vs how much he would value coming home to Columbus to coach at his other alma mater.
I am taking the same route as Connor with a former Buckeye player, but I am going with a guard.
Former Ohio State point guard CJ Walker.
Walker played his collegiate career with Florida State and Ohio State. He played two seasons at Florida State, where he was the starting point guard for an Elite Eight run. He then transferred to Ohio State, where he averaged 9.5 points per game and 4.4 assists in his senior year. He played for Ohio State for two seasons after sitting out one year due to NCAA transfer rules.
Walker played one season professionally overseas and then decided to take his talents to the coaching world.
He was an assistant coach and video coordinator for Saint Mary of the Woods College from October 2023 to March 2025, where they accumulated a record of 53-15 and an NAIA Sweet 16 appearance.
He obtained his Bachelor of Science from The Ohio State University and is currently on track to earn his master’s in teaching at Marian University by 2026.
Talor Battle was a young coach and former collegiate guard who was towards the end of the bench in the coaching rotation. What better way to replace him than with the same type of player/coach? And a former Buckeye who understands what it takes to win as a starter in the Elite Eight.
Continue reading...
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Jardy/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
There’s an open spot on the coaching staff, but Diebler isn’t going to rush to fill it.
Welcome back to the 199th edition of You’re Nuts, where two of Land-Grant Holy Land’s college basketball writers debate a variety of hotly contested topics that (usually) fall under the subject of college hoops.
We’re officially in the off-season now, with the Florida Gators being crowned champions on Monday night, nearly a full month after Ohio State’s season ended. The Buckeyes are nearly done working in the transfer portal, having added former Santa Clara center Christoph Tilly, former Wright State forward Brandon Noel, and former Indiana guard Gabe Cupps. They may add another player at some point as well to add a bit of shooting to the perimeter.
Last week, Connor and Justin debated if Bruce Thornton, who is expected to return to Ohio State for his senior year — per Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler — will beat the program’s all-time scoring record, currently held by Dennis Hopson. Thornton is currently 610 points away, and has never scored 600 points in one season before.
By a pretty strong margin, the readers sided with Justin, who said that no, Thornton will not pass Hopson’s record. 68% of the people agreed with him, while the remaining 32% were on Connor’s side.
After 199 weeks:
Connor- 89
Justin- 85
Other- 19
(There have been six ties)
While Ohio State has a mostly full roster, there is a clear vacancy on the coaching staff. Former Penn State legend Talor Battle was offered a spot on Mike Rhoades’ staff, so the program’s all-time leading scorer packed his bags and headed back to Happy Valley.
At some point, Diebler will fill that spot with another assistant coach, but it doesn’t sound like that’s the priority at this point in the off-season. There are several directions he could go, but here are two of our guesses.
This week’s question: Who should Jake Diebler hire to replace Talor Battle?
Connor: Seth Towns
Seth Towns would be, in my opinion, a great person to have on staff at Ohio State. Since Battle was the least experienced coach on staff last year — and not the highest compensated — I do not think Diebler will necessarily go after some well-known associate head coach or top assistant with decades of experience.
Battle was responsible for opponent scouting each week, as well as in-game assignments and adjustments. Battle was the main assistant coach who compiled film and statistics on the opposing team and helped prepare during video sessions and practice. He helped on the floor, too, but his main responsibility was game preparation.
Towns holds degrees from Harvard and Ohio State, and began working on a PhD at Howard. He’s one of the brightest guys to come through the program in many years, and would be an asset to Diebler and his staff. Towns is also from Columbus, is very familiar with Ohio High School basketball, and could grow into a solid recruiter with experience.
It's not meant to be a knock on Seth, but I also anticipate Diebler seeking out a young coach who does not need to be compensated as much as (or more than at least) Battle was. That takes many experienced coaches out of contention but gives Diebler the opportunity to bring a younger, up-and-coming coach into the mix.
Towns just finished his first year on staff at Harvard under Tommy Amaker. He’s a former Ivy League Player of the Year, and it could come down to the question of how much Towns values Howard vs how much he would value coming home to Columbus to coach at his other alma mater.
Justin: CJ Walker
I am taking the same route as Connor with a former Buckeye player, but I am going with a guard.
Former Ohio State point guard CJ Walker.
Walker played his collegiate career with Florida State and Ohio State. He played two seasons at Florida State, where he was the starting point guard for an Elite Eight run. He then transferred to Ohio State, where he averaged 9.5 points per game and 4.4 assists in his senior year. He played for Ohio State for two seasons after sitting out one year due to NCAA transfer rules.
Walker played one season professionally overseas and then decided to take his talents to the coaching world.
He was an assistant coach and video coordinator for Saint Mary of the Woods College from October 2023 to March 2025, where they accumulated a record of 53-15 and an NAIA Sweet 16 appearance.
He obtained his Bachelor of Science from The Ohio State University and is currently on track to earn his master’s in teaching at Marian University by 2026.
Talor Battle was a young coach and former collegiate guard who was towards the end of the bench in the coaching rotation. What better way to replace him than with the same type of player/coach? And a former Buckeye who understands what it takes to win as a starter in the Elite Eight.
Continue reading...