13 seasons, 439 wins and plenty of B1G Ten regular season/conference titles later, Thad Matta is finished as the Ohio State basketball coach. The Buckeyes head coach stepped down after nagging health issues took priority for the legendary leader. As the curtain falls on the most successful coach in the programs history, the national search for his replacement is underway. Plenty of big names have been floated around, some are obvious and real possibilities, others are a pipeline dream. Who falls into which bracket?

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Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics

THE definition of a hail mary, Brad Stevens isn’t leaving the Boston Celtics. After getting his coaching start under Matta at Butler back in ’01, Stevens served as the Butler head coach for six seasons before making his way into the NBA. Fresh off claiming the top seed in the Easter Conference and with the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft he would be dumb to bounce.
LIKELIHOOD: 0/10

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Chris Mack, Xavier

ONE of the highest candidates on the list Chris Mack could very well be on his way back to Ohio. Born in Cleveland and raised in Cincinnati Mack has led the Musketeers to the tournament in seven of the last eight seasons, including a run to the Elite Eight this year. A growing recruiter in the Midwest, Mack would be turning his back on a lot if he left Xavier, but it does seem like he could be ready to jump into a major job.
LIKELIHOOD: 8/10

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Sean Miller, Arizona

SIMILARLY to Mack if Sean Miller were to leave he would leaving a successful situation for potential greener pastures in Columbus. The Arizona Wildcats hold the pre-season No. 1 ranking in the eyes of many, so leaving doesn’t seem like a likely move. It would however, be a big splash from athletic director Gene Smith, exactly what he’s chasing.
LIKELIHOOD: 3.5/10

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Mick Cronin, Cincinnati

WHILE he doesn’t have as much success on paper as some of the potential candidates, Cronin is my pick to get the job. After leading the Cincinnati Bearcats for 11 seasons, including seven consecutive NCAA tournament visits, there isn’t much more than Cronin can achieve with this roster. Therefore making it easier for him to walk away if the Buckeyes strike out on the bigger names on the list.
LIKELIHOOD: 8.5/10

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Billy Donovan, Oklahoma City Thunder

ANOTHER NBA hail mary, Donovan doesn’t seem likely to depart the NBA anytime soon. That being said, with the Western Conference very Warriors-heavy the dream of chasing an NBA title might not be all it’s cracked up to be for the former Florida coach. Ohio State should at least make the call to the former two-time champion coach.
LIKELIHOOD: 2/10

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Chris Holtmann, Butler

CHRIS Holtmann had a season to remember in 2017, twice defeating the reigning champion Villanova Wildcats leading to him being named the Big East Coach of the Year. In just three seasons Holtmann has gone 70-31 with the Bulldogs while managing to recruit local guy Kyle Young from Ohio State’s neighbourhood. He has proven he can build a winner and despite his glamour remains high up the list.
LIKELIHOOD: 6.5/10

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Gregg Marshall, Wichita State

ROUNDING out our list is Gregg Marshall, who has put together quite an impressive resume with the Wichita State Shockers over 10 seasons. A NIT championship mixed in with a Final Four appearance, the Marshall led Shockers have lived up to their nickname, upsetting some higher seeds during their memorable NCAA tournament runs. Marshall seems comfortable in Wichita State and may have very well the best team at his disposal yet.
LIKELIHOOD: 5/10

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