Chris Holtmann opens up on coaching basketball during Ohio State football

It’s an exciting time to be a Buckeye, as Ohio State‘s football team heads into the College Football Playoffs and their basketball team heads into their first Big Ten conference game of the season this week. Buckeyes basketball coach Chris Holtmann was asked about the dynamics of leading a team in the midst of another within the program playing at the most crucial time of their season.

“I think it’s an interesting dynamic because at Butler it was very different and I think you hear about that from maybe guys who have coached at different schools and what their appreciation is for that,” Holtmann said.

Holtmann’s previous coaching stop at Butler was a school not necessarily known for its football, competing in the Pioneer League at the FCS level. Football is currently at the forefront of athletics right now in Columbus, which Holtmann understands and appreciates from his perspective.

“I think you’re so in the midst of it right now that that’s not necessarily my focus, I have great appreciation for where I’m at and how consumed this place is with athletics in general, but certainly at the forefront of that is football and I can appreciate that in a lot of ways, and I do because in some ways I feel the same way,” Holtmann explained.

Buckeye fans may be more worried about their National Championship hopes, but Holtmann’s focus is on bettering his team, as he looks to develop his team now for their long season ahead.

“But you’re so in the midst of preparing your team, trying to grow your freshman, grow your young kids, that’s what you’re consumed with,” Holtmann said. “If we consistently perform at a high level all that will come, basketball is such a long season that I just don’t get worked up about anything outside of how we’re performing this time of year.”

The Buckeyes have only suffered from two losses this season, both to ranked opponents, as they head into their conference opener this week against Rutgers.

“We got a lot of games in front of us, a lot of great Big Ten games here at home that we’re going to play starting on Thursday night and then picking back up in January,” Holtman said.

Ohio State’s game Thursday against the Scarlet Knights will air on ESPN 2 at 7:00 p.m. ET, but football fans will have to wait until December 31 to catch Ryan Day’s squad take on Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinal.