DePaul hires Holtmann as head coach

DePaul hired former Ohio State bench boss Chris Holtmann as its next men's basketball head coach, the school announced on Thursday.

"After an extensive national search, I am proud to welcome Chris Holtmann to Chicago and our Blue Demon family," said vice president and director of athletics DeWayne Peevy. "Chris' track record as a head coach of high-level programs, demonstrated commitment to excellence on and off the court, and NCAA postseason experience made him the perfect hire for DePaul. Chris unmistakably shares our values and our vision for DePaul men's basketball, recognizes our commitment to the resources required to compete at a high level, and is eager to return our program to national prominence."

The Blue Demons enticed Holtmann with a six-year deal, sources told Matt Norlander of CBS Sports.

Holtmann was fired in February by the Buckeyes after he opened the season - his seventh in charge - with a 14-11 record. He went 137-86 overall at Ohio State, taking the program to four NCAA Tournaments.

The 52-year-old will take over from Matt Brady, who served as interim head coach throughout the second half of the Blue Demons' 2023-24 campaign following the dismissal of Tony Stubblefield in January.