For the first time in 13 years, Ohio State needs a new head basketball coach.
Athletic director Gene Smith announced Monday that Thad Matta was out and that a national search would begin immediately. Matta was the winningest coach in school history, so this is no small task.
Of course, the timing of the change is less than ideal. Smith said there weren't any plans for any of the Buckeyes' current assistants to take on an interim role this season, so Ohio State fully intends to hire another coach from a different program.
Here are some potential options for Smith:
Chris Mack — Xavier
An obvious name since he coaches at a school right down the road — at the same one Ohio State hired Matta from — but there's many out there who believe Mack is a Xavier lifer. He is an alum, after all.
Mack has been the head coach of the Musketeers since 2009-10 and has a career coaching record of 187-91 (.673). He's led Xavier to the NCAA tournament seven times in eight seasons and been to the Sweet 16 four times with an Elite Eight appearance coming this past season.
Chris Holtmann — Butler
Another hot young coach from one of Matta's former employers, Holtmann is another option for Ohio State. He's been the head coach of the Bulldogs for the last three seasons after three years at Gardner-Webb.
Holtmann has compiled a 70-31 mark in three years at Butler and has been to the NCAA tournament in all three seasons.
Mick Cronin — Cincinnati
Another longtime head coach at an Ohio school, Cronin just finished his 11th season as the head coach at Cincinnati. The Bearcats have been to the NCAA tournament each of the last seven seasons but have only advanced past the first weekend once in that stretch.
Cronin is 237–135 (.637) in his 11 years at Cincinnati.
Sean Miller — Arizona
A former Matta disciple who has coaching experience at Ohio State, Miller is one of the top coaches in the profession. The big question here, obviously, is whether or not he'd want to leave Arizona, which is widely considered a better job than Ohio State.
Anything is possible, I guess. I bet Miller would answer Ohio State's phone call, though.
Gregg Marshall — Wichita State
His name comes up for just about every coaching vacancy in the country so why not just include it here. Fact is, Marshall makes roughly the same amount of money that Matta did at Ohio State, so it's hard to envision him leaving his current situation.
Tom Crean — Former Indiana head coach
The only coach on this list not currently employed is Crean. Maybe he gets a phone call considering the wild timing of Matta's departure.
Buzz Williams — Virginia Tech
Williams just finished his third season at Virginia Tech and has done a nice job reshaping the Hokies' program. He made his first NCAA tournament in Blacksburg this past season and went to the Big Dance five-straight times at Marquette, his previous stop.
In his 10-year head coaching career, Williams has an overall record of 206–134 (.606).
Other possible candidates: Tony Bennett (Virginia), Frank Martin (South Carolina), Billy Donovan (Oklahoma City Thunder), Shaka Smart (Texas)
