NCAA Basketball: 10 college assistants poised to become head coaches

By Joey Loose | May 21, 2019

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 13: head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils holds his left knee after falling to the floor during a timeout against the Kentucky Wildcats during the 2012 State Farm Champions Classic at Georgia Dome on November 13, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 24: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes (L) watches his team while they play against the Houston Cougars during the second half of the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 24, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

8. Ryan Pedon – Ohio State

Unlike the previous names on this list, Pedon has bounced around as an assistant coach, racking up different kinds of experience along the way. His early career took him around the MAC to Miami (OH), Kent State, and Toledo, before being hired at Illinois. Chris Holtmann brought him to Butler in 2015 and Pedon followed him to the Buckeyes two years later. He’s two decades into his coaching career, and he might be ready to make the jump to head coach sooner rather than later.

At Ohio State, he’s been instrumental in landing 4-star prospects like EJ Liddell and Alonzo Gaffney. With fellow assistant Mike Schrage taking over at Elon, the responsibilities will only be greater for Pedon, both on and off the court as the Buckeyes look to take another step forward with a solid recruiting class. He’s been described as charismatic and despite not being a household name has been a great presence at Ohio State.

Pedon might choose to stay with Holtmann a while longer, but he’d be an excellent candidate if any MAC jobs open up next season. Not only does he have direct experience at some of these schools, but it’s the exact geography with which he has familiarity. His work under talented MAC coaches like John Groce has prepared him for this opportunity and I think he’d be a fantastic grab for any school in this part of the country, MAC or not.

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