Chris Holtmann honest about need for Ohio State to block out noise

Ohio State has earned some fair share of criticism as losers of five over their past six. How the Buckeyes tune out those outside thoughts, though, will be vital to how they move forward from this recent stretch of poor play.

Chris Holtmann spoke about his program’s need to ignore the critiques of them during a press conference on Monday. He said that it doesn’t, or at least shouldn’t, apply to him and his staff. They should already know how little value that any of it holds over them.

“I think it’s easier for older people who have been in it,” said Holtmann. “You just understand, to a certain degree, how unimportant that kind of dialogue and conversation is towards really anything.”

“If that was something that was an issue with our staff or with me? I’d question if they have the makeup to be at a place like Ohio State,” Holtmann said.

Still, as far as the players, Holtmann just wants them to understand that it’s just part of it. That’s especially so at a school like theirs. Media coverage, along with people sharing their own personal takes, comes with the gig, whether you’re playing well or poorly. That’s why he wants them to disconnect from all of it because it’s going to continue to be present no matter what.

“People are going to talk. It’s what some of you guys get paid to do for a living so, of course, it’s part of it. It’s what you get paid to do,” Holtmann said. “Other people are going to do it for a variety of reasons. I think it’s more a challenge to your players.”

The narrative around Columbus has been a negative one as of late when it comes to Ohio State. The team has started 3-6 in the Big Ten, a skid that has them toward the back of the pack in the league, to bring their record down to 13-7. It’s not getting any better either with their last two losses, defeats at Nebraska and Northwestern, being their two worst by margin on the season.

With that said, the Buckeyes can still flip that recent script with 11 games to go as the calendar turns to February. That starts with a matchup with No. 14 Illinois tonight that could generate some more positive headlines if they could win it.

Holtmann admits he feels pressure to win

Ohio State is in the midst of a poor stretch having dropped five of their last six. It’s a skid that’s turning up the heat in Columbus even though, according to Chris Holtmann, there’s always pressure throughout a season.

Holtmann addressed any feelings of duress around the Buckeyes during his press conference on Monday. He said he certainly does feel it at the moment, much like he does during the rest of the season, and especially because of their recent run of losses.

“I think you always feel pressure to perform and to get your team playing their best. Whether it’s early in the year, late in the year, this time. November, December, January, February – you always feel that,” said Holtmann. “For sure.”

“You certainly can feel it too when you’ve struggled a little bit,” added Holtmann.