New OSU hoops coach familiar to NW Ohio fans

Before Ohio State fans became familiar with Jake Diebler as an assistant men's basketball coach, they enjoyed watching the sharp-shooting exploits of Jake's younger brother, Jon. Before any of that, though, both cut their basketball teeth while playing for their father, Keith Diebler, at Fostoria and Upper Sandusky high schools and winning the state Division II championship for Upper in the 2004-05 season. Jake Diebler on Wednesday was named interim head coach at Ohio State after the firing of Chris Holtmann, who was in his seventh season with the Buckeyes' record at 14-11 overall and 4-10 in the Big Ten, just one spot above last place. Diebler, 37, who had been associate head coach, will guide OSU through the remainder of the regular season and any postseason tournament bid that may come its way. His future beyond that is unclear, as many bigger names in the industry undoubtedly will be interested in the position. But this presents an opportunity for Diebler to audition in his first head-coaching gig both for the Buckeyes and whichever other schools may be searching for new program leaders after the season. Jake Diebler first became well known as a high school player in Fostoria, where he was starter for his dad's squad from the get-go, in 2001. Before Jake left after his junior season to play for his father at Upper Sandusky, Diebler, a 6-foot-3 point guard, scored 1,371 points to pass FHS career scoring leader Dan Hipsher, who had tallied 1,324. As an actual alumnus, Hipsher's Fostoria record stood until last Saturday, when senior Machi Johnson reset the mark at 1,329. JAs a senior, Jake Diebler averaged 18.5 points per game while helping Upper Sandusky's Rams win the state Division II championship. He also finished his high school career as Ohio's career leader in assists (835) and steals (578). Diebler's college career at Valparaiso University in Indiana didn't bring flashy numbers, but he became a fan favorite for his hustle. He then remained on Valpo's staff as an assistant to Homer Drew and then Homer's son, Bryce. In 2014, Diebler became Ohio State's video coordinator under coach Thad Matta, and Diebler then went to Vanderbilt as an assistant coach under Bryce Drew for the next three years. After Drew and his staff were dismissed from Vanderbilt, Diebler returned to Ohio State an assistant coach under Holtmann. He was named associate head coach in 2022. As circumstances would have it, Ohio State hired Holtmann away from Butler, where Matta had previously been head coach and has since returned. And Jon Diebler, Ohio's career high school scoring leader with more than 3,200 points and the career leader in 3-point baskets for both Ohio State and the Big Ten, is now a member of Matta's Butler staff after playing several seasons in Europe. Keith Diebler has continued to coach in the high school ranks and is now the head boys basketball coach and volleyball coach at Danbury High School.