Quick hitters from Jake Diebler head coach introductory press conference

COLUMBUS — Ohio State introduced Jake Diebler as the program’s full-time head coach Monday afternoon in the Schottenstein Center. Diebler shed his interim tag Sunday when he earned a promotion after leading the Buckeyes to a 6-2 record and into the NCAA Tournament conversation.

Now, on the eve of the NIT Tournament, where 20-win Ohio State is a No. 2 seed, Diebler spoke about his new role and his plans for the future of Buckeyes men’s basketball.

Lettermen Row has a rundown of what was said in the Schott.

What Jake Diebler said…

+ Diebler emphasized that this is a dream for him. He also made it clear how important family is, not just his immediate family but his basketball family as well. “I know I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t called to be here,” Diebler said.

+ Diebler, talking to the former players in attendance, said that he’s humbled to be here and grateful for the foundation they have laid. Then he asked for the former players to stand up and for the crowd to give a round of applause. “This program has a rich tradition because of these guys and the guys before them,” Diebler said.

+ “The amount of support we got from our former players … I will forever be grateful for those moments,” Diebler said. He reiterated that he and his family want to serve this program.

+ Diebler said he and Bjork have great expectations for Ohio State basketball, to win a championship and cut down the nets. He highlighted energy and passion as characteristics he will lean on as a leader.

+ “Ohio State is a special place. This university, I’ve seen first hand what it can do to people who are connected to it,” Diebler said.

Q&A Portion:

+ Diebler was asked about navigating the transition into a full-time role. He said “timing” is going to be important. Diebler said the focus is serving his players all the way through. Other, more long-term changes, will come after that.

+ Diebler was asked about what his faith means to him in this process. “Everything,” Diebler said. He said his foundation is his faith. “That’s what I will always go back to,” Diebler added. He said he got into coaching because his own coaches back in his playing days were foundational. “Coaches are the ones who changed my life,” said Diebler, whose father Keith is among that group.

+ Diebler was asked about what his father means to him and what it’s like to represent Northwest Ohio. He takes a great deal of pride from being from the 419, he said. He went on: “My dad’s been so influential in my life. Those who have seen him coach can see how I coach is a reflection of how he coached,” Diebler said. He said his father being around this last month has been huge.

+ Diebler said his greatest basketball memory is winning a Division II state title in the Schottenstein Center with his father as head coach and his brother as his teammate at Upper Sandusky High School. “I wish every high school kid could experience that,” Diebler said. He added that Ohio State wants guys from Ohio to be part of this program. “When you’re from this state and you put that jersey, you get a couple extra percent,” Diebler said in terms of the advantage of representing the Buckeyes in-state.

+ Diebler said balance is important for building the best roster possible, as far as high school recruiting and the transfer portal are concerned. He also noted that “roster retention” is of greatest importance. He said conversations have been started about roster retention of this current team, and he emphasized that there are great players at Ohio State now.

What Ross Bjork said…

+ Incoming AD Ross Bjork, who currently serves as Ohio State’s senior advisor for intercollegiate athletics, spearheaded the coaching search.

+ Bjork joked that current but outgoing Ohio State AD Gene Smith didn’t afford him a “honeymoon phase.” Bjork explained that he was on his sabbatical in Texas when Smith called him and said Bjork was going to conduct a search. So Bjork buckled down and began watching a ton of college basketball to prepare for a search that Smith described as “thorough.” Bjork said that Smith’s legacy and experienced helped him be a guide through this process.

+ Bjork said, “We’re only here because of our athletes. We have jobs because of our student-athletes.” He gave credit for the current team for its surge down the stretch.

+ Bjork said university president Ted Carter is “fired up” and thanked him from afar, as Carter couldn’t be there Monday because of a travel conflict.

+ Bjork shouted out Dan Cloran, the executive associate athletic director and sport administrator for men’s basketball, for his help in the search.

+ “Strong leadership skills that can galvanize Buckeye Nation and someone that can understand and capitalize in modern college athletics,” Bjork said in describing what he was looking for in this coaching search. Bjork said he talked to at least 15 former players during the search. He admitted that maybe he wouldn’t have done that if he wasn’t new, but he got consistent feedback: They wanted relatability, fit at Ohio State and of course leadership and excellence. “It really validated that Jake is the right guy for this job,” Bjork said.

+ Bjork said they pressed Diebler for what it takes to win championships. This wasn’t just a simple hire down the hallway. Bjork said he was struck in the moment Saturday when he offered Diebler the job. “This is a calling for Jake Diebler,” Bjork said. “He had to work for everything he achieved. Hard work defines Jake Diebler.”

Q&A Portion:

+ Bjork was asked about Diebler’s lack of long-term head coaching experience. “Either you have the wherewithal or you don’t,” Bjork said. “If you break down the moves that were made in games, he outcoached coaches that have been doing this for a long time.”

+ Bjork said there’s value in Diebler’s Ohio ties, especially considering the recruiting pipeline in the state and how important that will be in the next few years.

+ Bjork said Diebler’s career rise reminds himself of his own as an athletic director. Bjork was 37 years old when he was a first-time AD. Diebler is 37 now as a first-time head coach. Bjork noted that Diebler is always over-prepared, and that’s a trait that Bjork relates to.

+ Bjork said “we have a blue blood type program” that has made recent Final Fours, and he believes the Buckeyes can get back to that kind of success.

+ Bjork said when he first met with Jake, he said to Cloran, “This guy could do the job.” He added, “You kind of know it when you see it.” Bjork noted that it was an important weekend with Selection Sunday and the transfer portal opening Monday — even though it’s been open at Ohio State since Chris Holtmann’s firing — pointing out that, if you have your answer, pull the trigger. They had their answer.

+ Bjork was emphatic that Diebler is the right guy, whether he’s down the hall, from within or from another program. “It comes down to leadership, and that’s what Jake possesses,” Bjork said.