Chris Holtmann

Chris Holtmann (born November 11, 1971)

Current position: Head men’s basketball coach
Current team: DePaul Blue Demons
Current conference: Big East Conference
Gardner-Webb record: 44-54 (.449)
Butler record: 70-31 (.693)
Ohio State record: 137-86 (.614)
DePaul record: 0-0 (.000)
Overall record: 251-171 (.595)

Career Accomplishments:

  • NCAA National Championships:  0
  • NCAA Tournament Appearances:  7  (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)
  • NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen:  1  (2017)
  • NCAA Tournament Final Four:  0
  • NIT Championships:  0
  • NIT Appearances:  0
  • CIT Appearances:  1  (2013)
  • Big East Regular Season Champion:  0
  • Big East Tournament Champion:  0

Awards:

Coaching Career (head coach, unless noted):

2024-present DePaul
2017-2024 Ohio State
2014-2017 Butler
2013-2014 Butler (asst)
2010-2013 Gardner-Webb
2008-2010 Ohio (asst)
2003-2008 Gardner-Webb (asst)
1999-2003 Taylor (asst)
1998-1999 Geneva (asst)

Chris Holtmann Facts

  • Christopher Holtmann
  • Born November 11, 1971
  • Hometown: Nicholasville, Kentucky
  • Alma Mater: Taylor University (BS, 1994) / Ball State University (MA, 2000)
  • First coaching jobs were as an assistant at D-III Geneva (PA) under Jeff Santarsiero and at his alma mater, NAIA Taylor (IN)
  • Was an assistant at Gardner-Webb for five seasons under Rick Scruggs and at Ohio for two seasons under John Groce
  • In three seasons as the head coach, Holtmann improved the Bulldogs from 11-21 to a 21-13 record with a CIT appearance
  • Spent one season as an assistant at Butler under Brandon Miller before taking over as head coach in 2014, following Miller’s resignation for health reasons
    • Led the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament in each of his three seasons, including a trip to the 2017 Sweet Sixteen
  • Hired in June 2017 to become the new head coach at Ohio State
    • Led the Buckeyes to a 2nd place finish in the Big Ten and a NCAA berth in his first season; earned 2018 Big Ten COY honors
    • Went 137-86 overall and reached the NCAA Tournament four times in six full seasons, but never advanced past the Round of 32
    • In February 2024, Holtmann was fired with six games remaining in the season; the Buckeyes were just 4-10 in Big Ten play (14-11 overall)
  • In March 2024, Holtmann was hired to be the new head coach at DePaul, marking his return to the Big East

Chris Holtmann Coaching Tree