Jake Diebler shares importance of representing Northwest Ohio

The Ohio State Buckeyes kept things local with their new head basketball coaching hire. Not only did Jake Diebler know the program well, having worked as an assistant and as the interim, he’s also an Ohio native. Specifically, he’s a native of Northwest Ohio.

As Diebler explained in his introductory press conference, he takes plenty of pride in coming from Northwest Ohio.

“I take a great deal of pride in being from Northwest Ohio,” Jake Diebler said. “If you know our family background we moved around a little bit. So, when people ask where I’m from, I tell them I’m from the 419. I take a great deal of pride in that.”

Jake Diebler was born in Gibsonburg, Ohio before going to Fostoria High School before transferring to Upper Sandusky for his senior year. He’d go on to play college basketball at Valparaiso where he also got his start in coaching.

“No offense to some former players who aren’t from there, but if you look at the history of this program, the record books are filled with people from that area. So, probably should move on because I could go all day about that.”

Still, perhaps the most influential part of growing up in Northwest Ohio for Jake Diebler was his father. Throughout high school, he played for his father, Keith Diebler, learning about how to coach from his father in the process.

“My dad has been so influential in my life. Those of you who’ve seen him coach have probably seen that how I could is a reflection of how he coached, and he taught me at a very early age how important passion was, both when you’re correcting but in an encouraging way too and celebrating good things that happen. His influence on me, it’s huge. Him being around this last month, has been critical for me and the way he supported me…This means everything for our family to be able to be here and for him to be here today.”

Jake Diebler opens up on if his approach changes as the full-time head coach

The transition from interim coach to full-time head coach can be challenging. For now, Jake Diebler doesn’t know what to expect. However, he does know what his approach is going to be.

“It’s hard to speak on something that I haven’t experienced yet. But I will say this, what drives me is to serve this program as best as I possibly can. That’s not going to change. It’s not going to change once we’re able to win a championship. It’s not going to change when we go through adversity. It’s not going to be different five years from now or however much longer I’m able to serve,” Diebler said.

“So, why I do it, and what motivates me, my foundation is set and that’s my faith and my family. But, why I do it — our former players are always going to be here, and that’s motivation to me. Time will change things, certainly, but the motivation behind how we’re going to take this program to where it belongs will not.”