Last 10 Ohio State Basketball Coaches

• Tenure: 2017-present
• Record at OSU: 132-76 (.635)
• 4 NCAA Tournament Appearances (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)

Chris Holtmann's tenure at Ohio State began in 2017 with a successful debut season, yielding 25 wins and a second-place finish in the Big Ten conference.

He was even named Big East Coach of the Year. In 2020-21, Ohio State reached the Big Ten Tournament championship game and made the NCAA Tournament, though they were ousted in the first round.

Despite his four appearances in the NCAA, Holtmann has yet to bring home a conference championship or advance past the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

• Tenure: 2004-2017
• Record at OSU: 337-123 (.733)
• 5x Big Ten Regular Season (2006, 2007, 2010-2012)
• 4x Big Ten Tournament (2007, 2010, 2011, 2013)
• 9 NCAA Tournament Appearances
• 2008 NIT Champion

From 2004 to 2017, Thad Matta guided the Ohio State Buckeyes to win the Big Ten Conference regular season championship five times.

Additionally, he led the team to victory in the Big Ten tournament four times, reached the Final Four twice in 2007 and 2012, and secured the 2008 NIT Championship.

Notably, he holds the record as the most successful coach in Ohio State history.

• Tenure: 1997-2004
• Record at OSU: 133-88*
• 2x Big Ten Regular Season (2000, 2002)*
• 1x Big Ten Tournament (2002)*
• 4 NCAA Tournament Appearances (1999-2002)*

Jim O'Brien assumed the role of head coach for Ohio State on April 7, 1997.

Under O'Brien's leadership, the Buckeye team achieved notable milestones, including reaching the 1999 Final Four, clinching the Big Ten regular-season co-championships in 2000 and 2002, and securing the Big Ten tournament Championship in 2002.

However, Ohio State subsequently had to nullify all victories achieved between 1999 and 2002 and eliminate any mentions of team achievements during those years.

(* Vacated)

• Tenure: 1989-1997
• Record at OSU: 124-108 (.534)
• 2x Big Ten Regular Season (1991, 1992)
• 3 NCAA Tournament Appearances (1990-1992)

From 1984 to 1989, Ayers served as an assistant at Ohio State under Gary Williams and then ascended to the position of head coach in 1989.

During his eight-year tenure at Ohio State, Ayers achieved a 124-108 record, securing three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances from 1990 to 1992.

In 1991 and 1992, Ohio State clinched consecutive Big Ten Conference regular season titles and attained top-five national finishes. Despite these successes, Ayers faced termination in 1997 due to declining team performance.

• Tenure: 1986-1989
• Record at OSU: 59-41 (.590)
• 1 NCAA Tournament Appearances (1987)

Gary Williams coached the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1986 to 1989. His overall record at Ohio State was 59-41 (.590).

Under his leadership, the Buckeyes advanced to one NCAA tournament appearance and two NIT appearances.

In his first season with OSU, Williams guided the team to the second round of the NCAA tournament. Then in his second year, the Buckeyes reached the final of the NIT tournament but were defeated. He then left Ohio State to become the head coach at Maryland.

• Tenure: 1976-1986
• Record at OSU: 176-118 (.598)
• 4 NCAA Tournament Appearances (1980, 1982, 1983, 1985)
• 1986 NIT Champion

Eldon Miller, a coaching legend, led four programs in his 36-year career, achieving his greatest success at Ohio State.

From 1976 to 1986, he steered the Buckeyes to four NCAA Tournament appearances, culminating in a 1986 NIT championship. Though known for his tough-nosed defensive schemes, Miller also nurtured talent, mentoring 13 eventual NBA draft picks.

Inducted into multiple Halls of Fame, Miller holds a special place in Ohio State history, remembered for his dedication, fiery spirit, and contribution to the program's winning legacy.

• Tenure: 1958-1976
• Record at OSU: 297-158 (.653)
• 1960 NCAA Division I Champion
• 7x Big Ten (1960-1964, 1968, 1971)
• 5 NCAA Tournament Appearances (1960-1962, 1968, 1971)

Fred Taylor, the legendary coach who led the Ohio State Buckeyes to their only national championship in 1960, was more than just a basketball mastermind.

During his 18-year tenure, Taylor amassed a 297-158 record, won seven Big Ten titles (including a record five in a row), and coached six All-Americans and three Hall of Famers: Jerry Lucas, John Havlicek, and Bob Knight.

• Tenure: 1950-1958
• Record at OSU: 84-92 (.477)

In 1950, Floyd Stahl was rehired by Ohio State as the head coach for their baseball team, a position he held from 1947.

The same year in 1950, Stahl made a transition to the basketball program and assumed the role of head coach for the Ohio State men's team, a position he held until 1958.

During his tenure as the basketball coach at the Buckeyes, Stahl concurrently served the position of associate athletic director. In 1958, he decided to step down from coaching and transitioned into the role of assistant athletic director at Ohio State.

In 1978, Stahl became a member of the Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame.

• Tenure: 1946-1950
• Record at OSU: 53-34 (.609)
• 1x Big Ten (1950)
• 1 NCAA Tournament Appearances (1950)

Tippy Dye, a former Ohio State basketball and football player returned to the university in 1942 as an assistant for the football and basketball teams.

In the course of World War II, Dye dedicated three years to the U.S. Navy. Following his military service, he assumed the role of basketball coach at Ohio State University, his alma mater, serving from 1947 to 1950.

Under his coaching in 1950, the Buckeyes secured the Big Ten title and reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA basketball tournament.

• Tenure: 1922-1946
• Record at OSU: 259-197 (.568)
• 5x Big Ten (1925, 1933, 1939, 1944, 1946)
• 4 NCAA Tournament Appearances (1939, 1944-1946)

In 1922, Harold Olsen succeeded George Trautman as the head coach of the Ohio State University.

For 24 years, he led the Buckeyes to a 259-197 record and secured five Big Ten championships. In 1939, Olsen played a pivotal role in establishing the NCAA postseason national playoffs, which are now recognized as the NCAA tournament.

He also played a key role in the introduction of the 10-second rule. In 1959, Olsen was honored with induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor.