Mailbox: Support for Jake Diebler as Ohio State coach, and for a move to St. John Arena
Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at bwhite1@dispatch.com. Letters are lightly edited for clarity.
On Ohio State basketball
To the editor: Please add this letter to the allegedly millions of others you have received in favor of retaining Jake Diebler. Ohio State should sign Diebler to a one-year contract with a one-year option. He has proven his ability to win.
Alan Weiler, Powell
To Alan: Nice sentiment, but good luck recruiting top talent with a one-year contract. All the other schools will pounce, asking the high school recruits, "Do you really think Diebler will be there next year?" Oh, and nice reference to last week's letter stating that we had millions of "avid readers." I'm still looking for that hidden revenue, by the way.
To the editor: You want to change OSU hoops program? Hire Chris Jent and play all home games at St. John Arena. We are a football school. Duke seats 9,000. ... I was a member at Scioto. The rich want their atmosphere. The Schott does not provide it. And you put St. John in play and recruiting/NIL go through the roof.
Nick Hodak
To Nick: Playing in St. John would take a massive change of direction for the Ohio State athletic department, as renderings of the area where the arena stands continue to show a variety of different buildings in its place.
To Brian: It's great to see Thad Matta still at it, coaching at Butler again. My memories of his Ohio State teams include Evan Turner's shot vs. Michigan (Big Ten tourney, 2010) and Ron Lewis' 3-pointer vs. Xavier (NCAA, '07). And despite losing to champion Florida twice, OSU finished the season ranked No. 1 in the AP with a 35-4 record. He's still young (56), and I wonder to what extent his injuries affected his last few years at Ohio State. Would a healthy coach have lasted longer? Unfortunately, I don't think Butler is going anywhere - nor is Thad (i.e. to another school). He will stay until he can't.
It's funny how Chris Holtmann was able to come in and do well with Matta's former players and reignite the Buckeyes. But eventually the floorboards collapsed. Under Jake Diebler, a remarkable resurgence. Incoming AD Ross Bjork will find someone "successful" but almost every coach has a few embarrassing losses. ... OSU seeks the ideal resume: a motivator, a recruiter and a proven winner. As Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, "A cord of three strands is not easily broken." Visually, that's someone who climbs a ladder and cuts down the net. Does Diebler fill the bill?
Larry Cheek, Dublin
On the Blue Jackets
To the editor: The sensory room now available at Nationwide Arena is a wonderful idea. I just wonder if it would be necessary if the Blue Jackets stopped firing the cannon after every one of their infrequent goals. I personally do not have PTSD, but the cannon is likely the reason I have only attended one game.
Tom Currie, Westerville
To Tom: Wondering: Has anyone been in the sensory room when the cannon was shot off? Was it heard? Is there really any escaping the boom?
On college athletics
Dear Brian: A segment of letter writers in this space like to lament how the athletes who transfer show no loyalty or gratitude to the schools they leave, especially Ohio State. A recent article about Buckeye baseball makes it clear that perhaps some transfers do not always leave by their own choice alone. How did coach Mosiello have room on the roster for 27 newcomers, including 11 transfers? By not having certain players return after the 2023 season. In an article from March 3, coach refers to "the guys that we let return ...", and "we brought you back because we're here to win" in 2024.
In other words, the transferring that the fans blame entirely on the departing players also has a program angle to it. Some players don't choose to jump ship; some are pushed off.
Doug Shoemaker, Westerville
On Ohio State-Michigan
To Brian: I went through Buckeye Grove on March 2 and discovered that many of the plaques honoring OSU football All-Americans still had tape clinging on hiding the M's from three months ago. I appreciate the passion some must have to do that, but I'm wondering if all might be better served if they used that time and energy instead on more constructive activity.
Dennis Singleton, Dayton
More from the Mailbox:
Ohio State football coaches wrong for playing injured LB Eichenberg vs. Michigan?
Why isn't Ohio State basketball elite? And why not give Jake Diebler a chance?
Should Ohio State call Dawn Staley in basketball coach search?
New Ohio State AD Ross Bjork shouldn't let timing get in way of coaching changes
Reader calls for 'no trash talk' truce between Ohio State, Michigan football fans
Ohio State football fans aren't going to let Michigan's boasting go unanswered
Hail to the Victors! Michigan football fans have their say to Ohio State fans
Readers come to defense of former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord
Syracuse football fan thanks Ohio State's Ryan Day for the gift of Kyle McCord
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Support for Jake Diebler, Chris Jent as Ohio State basketball coach
