Sayin, who stands 6 feet 1 inch and weighs 195 pounds, was a football player for Carlsbad High School in Carlsbad, California. Sayin was listed in the 247Sports Composite as a 5-star recruit. He was ranked as the top quarterback in the nation, the top prospect in California, and the fifth-best prospect overall in 2024.
Sayin has been back in southern California over Ohio State’s spring break this past week. He worked with Left Coast Athletix’s highly esteemed longtime quarterback coach and trainer, Jose Mohler, during his stay.
Jake Diebler has been named the head men’s basketball coach at Ohio State.
The men’s basketball team of Ohio State Buckeyes has appointed Jake Diebler as its head coach.
It is official: Jake Diebler has been named Ohio State’s full-time head men’s basketball coach, and the interim tag has been removed.
The news was made just now by the university. On Monday, Diebler, athletic directors Gene Smith and Ross Bjork, are scheduled to speak at a press conference.
The Columbus Dispatch first revealed on Friday that Diebler and Florida Atlantic head coach Dusty May were in competition for the position of head coach. On Saturday, there was an update stating that OSU had decided on Diebler and the parties were negotiating a contract.
On February 14, Diebler was appointed as Smith’s temporary head coach following the dismissal of seventh-year head coach Chris Holtmann. OSU was 4-10 (thirteenth) in the Big Ten and 14-11 overall at the time.
The team is 20-13 overall and has gone 6-2 under Diebler. In the Big Ten race, the Buckeyes placed ninth, finishing 9-11.
With a sad 77-74 loss to No. 2 seed Illinois on Friday night, OSU’s run in the Big Ten tournament came to an end. It was thought that OSU may have advanced to the NCAA Tournament with a victory in that game. Alternatively, the Buckeyes might agree to take a bid in tonight’s NIT. Value City Arena may host one or two games this week featuring OSU.
Diebler is Jon Diebler’s brother, the former Ohio State standout. Their father, veteran prep coach Keith Diebler, was their coach at Upper Sandusky and Kenton high schools.
After completing his playing career at Valparaiso, Jake Diebler worked as a full-time and student assistant there. He was the video coordinator for Thad Matta at OSU from 2013 to 2016. After that, he worked as an assistant at Vanderbilt from 2016 to 2019 before coming back to OSU in 2019 to support Holtmann.
In addition to current assistants Terence Dials (promoted from an administrative role), Mike Netti, Jack Owens, and Brandon Bailey, the Buckeyes defeated then-No. 2 Purdue at home on February 18. After victories over Michigan State, Nebraska, Michigan, and Rutgers, Iowa, ranked seventh in the Big Ten tournament, was defeated 90-78 on Thursday.
For our piece from Saturday characterizing Diebler as the ideal man for OSU men’s basketball at this particular time, click here.
The announcement from OSU regarding Diebler’s hiring as head men’s basketball coach is below.
Diebler will have a five-year contract as the program’s fifteenth head coach in men’s basketball history.
Columbus, Ohio – Jake Diebler has been appointed head coach of the Ohio State men’s basketball program, according to a statement released today by Senior Advisor for Intercollegiate Athletics Ross Bjork. Diebler will be given a five-year contract, making him the program’s fifteenth head coach in history.
“After conducting an extensive and comprehensive search for a new head coach, we believe Jake Diebler possesses all of the qualities we were looking for,” Bjork stated. “Those include coaching ability, passion, energy, program knowledge, character, integrity and ties to Ohio. Jake has a strong connection to Ohio State, is a native of the state, and has coached high schools in Ohio for a long time. He knows what it takes to steer this program toward championship success.
“I want to express my gratitude to Dan Cloran, our executive associate athletic director, for his tireless work throughout our search. He is in charge of our men’s basketball program.”
In his ninth season at Ohio State, Diebler is the first Ohioan to be chosen head coach in 35 years. On February 14, he was designated the acting head coach, and in the final month of the season, he guided the Buckeyes to a 6-2 record. The first of those six victories came on February 19 against No. 2 Purdue in his first game as interim coach, and it happened in an incredible way. After losing its following game away to Minnesota, Ohio State went on to win five straight: against Nebraska, at Michigan, at Rutgers, at Michigan State, and against Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament’s second round.
Despite playing a fantastic quarterfinal game against Illinois, the Big Ten tournament champion, the team lost on Friday, 77-74. Overall, the Buckeyes are 21-13.
“Every time we considered what would be best for the program during the search, it led us back to Jake,” Bjork remarked. “He has led the program in an exemplary manner since February 14 and this is just the beginning for Buckeye Basketball.” It will be fascinating to watch him run this program in the future.
President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. commented, “Our Buckeyes have rallied and shown true grit on the court with Coach Diebler, who has exhibited impressive leadership with the team.” “He’s been an inspiration to the players in addition to his several victories since taking over as temporary head coach. After getting to know Jake, I have no doubt that he will lead the team brilliantly going forward.
Diebler began his career with Ohio State basketball in 2014, working for three seasons as Thad Matta’s staff video coordinator. Prior to the 2019–20 season, he rejoined Ohio State as Chris Holtmann’s assistant coach following three seasons as an assistant coach at Vanderbilt. Before the 2021–2022 season, he was then elevated to associate head coach.
“Serving this program is a blessing and a privilege, and I’m thrilled about this chance,” Diebler remarked. “I want to express my gratitude to President Carter and Ross Bjork for their support of my future goals. For my family and I, Ohio State basketball holds great significance and is very meaningful. I’m excited to provide the best support I can to the Ohio State basketball family as a whole.
Diebler is still the OHSAA career leader in assists and steals after an outstanding three seasons at Fostoria High School and one at Upper Sandusky High School. After that, he played for head coach Homer Drew for four seasons at Valparaiso from 2006 to 2009. Throughout his final three seasons, Diebler, who was regarded as one of the program’s hardest workers, started all 98 games for the Crusaders, setting a record for Valparaiso Division I. In the latter part of his senior season, he also played seven games in a row for 278 continuous minutes.
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