The Ohio State basketball program is one of the most successful college basketball programs in the country. The team has won a total of 8 national championships and is a perennial powerhouse in the Big Ten Conference. It should come as no surprise then that the head coach of the team is among the highest-paid coaches in the sport. So, how much does Ohio State basketball coach make?
Salary of Chris Holtmann, Ohio State’s Current Head Coach
Chris Holtmann is the current head coach of the Ohio State basketball team. He was hired in 2017 and has since led the team to three consecutive Big Ten regular-season titles and two Big Ten Tournament titles. In 2020, the school rewarded Holtmann with a contract extension and a substantial pay raise. According to USA Today, Holtmann’s annual salary is now $3.4 million, making him the third-highest paid basketball coach in the Big Ten, behind only Michigan State’s Tom Izzo and Purdue’s Matt Painter.
Compensation Packages for Ohio State’s Basketball Coaches In the Past
Ohio State has employed a number of successful basketball coaches in the past. Thad Matta was the head coach from 2005 to 2017 and was the longest-tenured head coach in Ohio State basketball history. During his tenure, he led the Buckeyes to five Big Ten regular-season titles and four Big Ten Tournament titles. Matta was also well-compensated for his success, earning an annual salary of $3.2 million when he was fired in 2017.
Before Matta, Jim O’Brien was the head coach from 1997 to 2004. During his time at Ohio State, he led the team to three NCAA Tournament appearances and a Big Ten Tournament championship. According to the Columbus Dispatch, O’Brien was making $1.2 million when he was fired in 2004.
Ohio State’s Other Basketball Coaches
There have been a number of other basketball coaches who have had brief stints at Ohio State. Randy Ayers was the head coach from 1996 to 1997 and was making an estimated $500,000 when he was fired. Jim O’Brien was the head coach from 1994 to 1996 and was making an estimated $300,000 when he was fired. And Gary Williams was the head coach from 1987 to 1994 and was making an estimated $400,000 when he was fired.
Conclusion
Ohio State basketball has had a number of successful head coaches over the years. The current head coach, Chris Holtmann, is among the highest-paid coaches in the Big Ten, earning an annual salary of $3.4 million. The school’s previous head coach, Thad Matta, was also well-compensated, earning an annual salary of $3.2 million. And the school’s coaches before Matta, such as Jim O’Brien and Gary Williams, were also making good money. It is clear that the Ohio State basketball program is willing to pay its coaches well for success.