NCAA Basketball: 10 coaches that may get fired or leave after 2022-23 season

Chris Holtmann – Ohio State Buckeyes

After taking over for the successful era of Thad Matta, Coach Holtmann picked up right where his predecessor left off. In the first five seasons, Ohio State was not only ranked every season, but they also were an NCAA Tournament team as well (would’ve made it in 2020 too). They had a good start to the season, ranked in the top-25 at some point.

But things have taken a dark turn for Holtmann and the program this season. They’ve lost 11 of 12 games as of late, with the lone win being against Iowa somehow. The Buckeyes currently stands at 11-14 overall and 3-11 in Big Ten play, good for second-to-last in the standings. It’s just one bad year but the fanbase is unhappy, to say the least and in an era that says that “you’re only as good as your recent results”, so Holtmann is now in trouble with the fans.

It creates a situation where his name is still good in NCAA Basketball circles and Ohio State becomes too toxic a situation, he could easily find another power conference job. There could be a few in the midwest/northeast region that opens up this offseason as well.

Ultimately, it would be a true shock if Ohio State fired Coach Holtmann after one bad year. At the same time, if things continue to tumble, there might be pressure to do something. And that something may be for him to leave first in case the admin moves first.