INDIANAPOLIS -- Butler head basketball coach Chris Holtmann will be the new head coach at Ohio State University.
Holtmann is replacing Thad Matta, who was fired Monday by the Buckeyes.
Butler athletic director Barry Collier released the following statement Friday:
“Chris is a tremendous basketball coach, but more importantly, he is a great man who has led our program well and embodied The Butler Way during his time with us. On behalf of everyone at Butler, we wish him, Lori, and Nora continued success as they make this transition. Our basketball program is among the nation’s best and Butler University is committed to maintaining our competitive success on a national level, while also recruiting young men who will represent our institution well in the classroom and in the community. We will work efficiently to identify our next head coach.”
Holtmann's Butler coaching career ended with a 70-31 record. Butler will now have to find its third coach in five seasons.
Holtmann tweeted a statement a few hours after the university officially welcomed him:
Brad Stevens left to coach the Boston Celtics after the 2012-13 season. His replacement, Brandon Miller, took a leave of absence after one season. He was replaced in the interim -- then full-time -- by Holtmann.
Holdmann also released a statement Friday morning:
— Chris Holtmann (@ChrisHoltmann) June 9, 2017
Matta coached at Butler in the 2000-2001 season.
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