Ohio State’s Season Teetering, and So Is Jake Diebler’s Job Security
Sunday’s 82-61 blowout loss to No. 2 Michigan wasn’t just a tough pill to swallow for Ohio State fans-it was a gut punch that might have serious implications for head coach Jake Diebler’s future in Columbus.
The Buckeyes didn’t just lose in front of a sold-out Value City Arena crowd of 17,684-they were outplayed, outmuscled, and outclassed by their biggest rival. And with the defeat dropping Ohio State to 15-8 overall and 7-6 in Big Ten play, the pressure is mounting fast. NCAA Tournament hopes are fading, and with them, perhaps Diebler’s grip on the program.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about one game. Diebler’s overall record at Ohio State stands at 37-25, with a 21-18 mark in conference play.
Respectable numbers on paper, but in a program where expectations are sky-high, especially in March, “respectable” doesn’t always cut it. The Buckeyes are expected to dance in March, not sit on the sidelines.
And if they don’t? The financials are already on the table.
Ohio State would owe Diebler a $5 million buyout if they decide to make a change after the regular season. That’s not pocket change, but it’s also not a number that would scare off a major program if leadership feels the direction isn’t right.
After the loss to Michigan, Diebler didn’t shy away from the issues. He pointed to a lack of physicality-not effort-as a key reason for the team’s struggles.
“I don’t know that I would say there was a lack of effort; there was a major lack of physicality,” Diebler said. “Those are two different things.
I mean, there’s some correlation to some degree. But we didn’t lack effort; we lacked major physicality.”
It’s a fair distinction. The Buckeyes weren’t loafing-they were just getting beat in the gritty areas of the game. Diebler gave an example that speaks volumes about where the team is right now:
“A shot goes up, it’s not like we weren’t running hard to the rim. The problem was, we were running hard to the rim, and not running hard to hit somebody, and creating contact so we could rebound down the floor.”
That’s not just about hustle. That’s about mindset. And when a coach is calling out his team’s physical presence, especially against a rival like Michigan, it raises questions about identity and toughness-two things Ohio State basketball has historically taken pride in.
Diebler knows what’s at stake. He’s not ducking the pressure, and he’s not making excuses. He’s leaning into the expectations that come with leading a program like Ohio State.
“Listen, I said this from the day I got this job,” Diebler said. “Myself, our staff, these players, there’s a standard in this program that we don’t run from.
College basketball is different now than it’s ever been... But we’re working as hard as we can to get back.”
“We’re not trying to just be good, right? Trying to win championships here, and that’s what we’re working towards.
And I’m not afraid of that, I’m not afraid of that at all. We’re taking steps, we’re getting better, we’ve shown some improvement.”
That kind of resolve is what you want to hear from a head coach. But at this point in the season, words won’t be enough. The Buckeyes need results-and fast.
With the regular season winding down and the Big Ten standings tightening up, every game from here on out carries weight. For Diebler, it’s not just about salvaging a season-it might be about saving a job.