MARISA MILLER | MANAGING EDITOR | mnmille1@butler.edu
Men’s basketball head coach Chris Holtmann has accepted the newly vacant Ohio State men’s basketball head coaching position, according to the Columbus Dispatch and the Indianapolis Star.
The confirmed deal is for eight years for $3.1 million per year per reports.
BREAKING: Source tells IndyStar that #Butler‘s Chris Holtmann has accepted job at Ohio State. Eight years, $3.1 million a year.
— David Woods (@DavidWoods007) June 9, 2017
The former coach has recently signed a contract extension with Butler in the hopes of him staying until the 2024-25 season.
Holtmann will be replacing Thad Matta, former Butler player and coach, who had previously been coaching the Buckeyes the last 13 years. A statement from Holtmann was posted via his Twitter account at 11:15 this morning.
“Leaving Butler has been one of the most difficult decisions of my life,” Holtmann’s statement reads. “Lori, Nora and I leave with amazing memories that we were honored to be a part of. We all know that at Butler, despite change, those special and amazing moments will only continue. I’m certain of that. It’s Butler.”
— Chris Holtmann (@ChrisHoltmann) June 9, 2017
Holtmann posted a 70-31 in three seasons with the Bulldogs, taking the team to the NCAA Tournament every year. The team lost in the Sweet 16 to eventual national champion North Carolina last season.
President Danko and Vice President and Director of Athletics Barry Collier have both released statements this afternoon. Collier’s was posted on the @ButlerMBB Twitter account.
“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,” Collier’s statement reads. “On behalf of everyone at Butler, we wish him, Lori, and Nora continued success as they make this transition.”
Statement from Barry Collier on Chris Holtmann being named head coach at Ohio State today… pic.twitter.com/08T3bzdvFO
— Butler Basketball (@ButlerMBB) June 9, 2017
President Danko sent out an email to members of the Butler community, including faculty and staff shortly after Collier’s statement was released. 
“Chris Holtmann, head coach of the Butler University men’s basketball team, informed Vice President and Director of Athletics Barry Collier and me late Thursday that he had accepted a position at The Ohio State University,” Danko’s email said. “Chris has been a tremendous ambassador for Butler over the past several years. Our team has enjoyed great success on the court, in the classroom, and in the community…
“Thank you for your continued support of Butler University. We look forward to introducing you to Butler’s next basketball coach soon.”
A press conference at Ohio State will follow this announcement in the coming days.
The Butler Collegian will continue to update this story as more information becomes available and will continue to update on the upcoming head coach search.
