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Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at [email protected]. Letters are lightly edited for clarity.
To the editor: Looking back on the last several years of Ohio State’s basketball program, I’m struck by how different it is from the football program. Football is a perpetual top-five powerhouse with a top coach, staff, NIL support and, most importantly, a large budget. Basketball is not the cash cow that football is – anywhere, not just OSU – however, the top five programs each have budgets within reach of the OSU athletic department. For example, Kentucky’s basketball budget is $18.3 million annually, compared to OSU’s $12-13 million.
Ross Bjork chose the trajectory that the basketball program is on. He could have taken the same approach with basketball as he has with football – get a top-five coach, pay for a top-notch staff and do what is needed to recruit top-tier players via portal and NIL. Instead, he’s building a program for the middle of the B1G pack and an occasional NCAA berth.
Consider his statement early in the search for a replacement to Holtmann, “To me, experience matters,” he said. “Experience in the chair matters, so having head coaching experience, I just think, gives people such a unique advantage. You’re at Ohio State. You will be able to attract sitting head coaches, because these are destination-type jobs.”
He disregarded his stated requirement and got a coach on the cheap: Diebler is paid $1 million less annually than his predecessor. (Who takes less for the same job? The fact that Diebler took that deal says he’s not the negotiator he needs to be to recruit and effectively work the portal.)
I want to be clear, I like Diebler. I liked Luke Fickell, too, but instead of elevating him from an unproven interim coach, OSU hired a proven head coach in Urban Meyer and quickly regained its status as a powerhouse. What if OSU hired Bruce Pearl, Kelvin Sampson, or Nate Oats instead of Diebler?
Bjork chose this path but can change course. Until he does, OSU’s basketball program will continue to languish.
Mike (Griff) Griffin
To Griff: There will be plenty of comparisons going forward regarding the Diebler hire, as reports are that Ohio State considered Dusty May and that John Calipari reached out about the job. Bjork's change on the value of experience means he saw something special in Diebler.
Buy Ohio State books, posters, gear from CFP title win
Hi Brian: I was conflicted about whether Pete Rose should be reinstated to baseball until I read far leftist radical Nancy Armour’s article in Sunday’s Dispatch against it. Now I definitely want Pete reinstated even if it’s just to upset a fully inflicted TDS person posing as a sports columnist.
Bob Jacobs
To Brian: The online photo (Feb. 5) of new Reds manager Terry Francona holding up his jersey was a reminder to me of new life – spring and baseball. He won four division titles with Cleveland in 11 seasons with a trip to the World Series in 2016. He is their winningest manager (971-757). He managed three MLB teams over 23 years with two World Series titles.
A rejuvenated Francona will be 66 in April. His hiring could be just as encouraging for both Reds fans and players. New life? Winning a World Series in both leagues is very rare, but he could make history getting there with two teams from the same state. I can see former Cincinnati skipper Sparky Anderson smiling over by third base. It was 50 years ago ... that Big Red Machine.
Larry Cheek, Dublin
To Larry: Give the Reds credit for a great hire. I'm sure other teams are not happy they didn't think of bringing Francona out of retirement.
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Too-serious Ohio State football fans need to find something that brings them joy
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State basketball vs. football: Why hasn’t hoops hit elite status?
Continue reading...
On Ohio State basketball
To the editor: Looking back on the last several years of Ohio State’s basketball program, I’m struck by how different it is from the football program. Football is a perpetual top-five powerhouse with a top coach, staff, NIL support and, most importantly, a large budget. Basketball is not the cash cow that football is – anywhere, not just OSU – however, the top five programs each have budgets within reach of the OSU athletic department. For example, Kentucky’s basketball budget is $18.3 million annually, compared to OSU’s $12-13 million.
Ross Bjork chose the trajectory that the basketball program is on. He could have taken the same approach with basketball as he has with football – get a top-five coach, pay for a top-notch staff and do what is needed to recruit top-tier players via portal and NIL. Instead, he’s building a program for the middle of the B1G pack and an occasional NCAA berth.
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Consider his statement early in the search for a replacement to Holtmann, “To me, experience matters,” he said. “Experience in the chair matters, so having head coaching experience, I just think, gives people such a unique advantage. You’re at Ohio State. You will be able to attract sitting head coaches, because these are destination-type jobs.”
He disregarded his stated requirement and got a coach on the cheap: Diebler is paid $1 million less annually than his predecessor. (Who takes less for the same job? The fact that Diebler took that deal says he’s not the negotiator he needs to be to recruit and effectively work the portal.)
I want to be clear, I like Diebler. I liked Luke Fickell, too, but instead of elevating him from an unproven interim coach, OSU hired a proven head coach in Urban Meyer and quickly regained its status as a powerhouse. What if OSU hired Bruce Pearl, Kelvin Sampson, or Nate Oats instead of Diebler?
Bjork chose this path but can change course. Until he does, OSU’s basketball program will continue to languish.
Mike (Griff) Griffin
To Griff: There will be plenty of comparisons going forward regarding the Diebler hire, as reports are that Ohio State considered Dusty May and that John Calipari reached out about the job. Bjork's change on the value of experience means he saw something special in Diebler.
Buy Ohio State books, posters, gear from CFP title win
On Pete Rose
Hi Brian: I was conflicted about whether Pete Rose should be reinstated to baseball until I read far leftist radical Nancy Armour’s article in Sunday’s Dispatch against it. Now I definitely want Pete reinstated even if it’s just to upset a fully inflicted TDS person posing as a sports columnist.
Bob Jacobs
On the Cincinnati Reds
To Brian: The online photo (Feb. 5) of new Reds manager Terry Francona holding up his jersey was a reminder to me of new life – spring and baseball. He won four division titles with Cleveland in 11 seasons with a trip to the World Series in 2016. He is their winningest manager (971-757). He managed three MLB teams over 23 years with two World Series titles.
A rejuvenated Francona will be 66 in April. His hiring could be just as encouraging for both Reds fans and players. New life? Winning a World Series in both leagues is very rare, but he could make history getting there with two teams from the same state. I can see former Cincinnati skipper Sparky Anderson smiling over by third base. It was 50 years ago ... that Big Red Machine.
Larry Cheek, Dublin
To Larry: Give the Reds credit for a great hire. I'm sure other teams are not happy they didn't think of bringing Francona out of retirement.
More from the Mailbox
What's wrong with Ohio State football players promoting religious beliefs?
Did Ohio State football players' religious actions become 'tiresome'?
Ohio State football's Ryan Day might be more like Woody Hayes than you think
Is Knowles just a 'gunslinger', or is there more to his departure?
Is rude fan treatment of Ohio State football coach Ryan Day, family part of job?
Dispatch's Ohio State football 'best plays' bracket guilty of recency bias
Rob Oller needs to have more appreciation for Ohio State football QB Will Howard
As some traditional powers falter, Ohio State football rolls on
Michigan is in Ohio State football fans' heads; Blue Jackets games are too loud
Too-serious Ohio State football fans need to find something that brings them joy
Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State basketball vs. football: Why hasn’t hoops hit elite status?
Continue reading...
