Column: Chris Holtmann gives DePaul something it has lacked recently -- hope
When DeWayne Peevy arrived at DePaul to become the university’s next athletic director in 2020, he came in with a phrase that didn’t seem possible for the Blue Demons’ athletic department at the time — “Dream Big.”
He meant that for every sport at DePaul and — in fact — for the entire university. But it really resonated with the men’s basketball program that has not played in the NCAA Tournament for two decades.
It has taken a couple of years and two head coach firings, but Peevy has delivered big for the university by hiring Chris Holtmann as DePaul’s next men’s basketball head coach.
After firing Tony Stubblefield on Jan. 22, Peevy and DePaul embarked on a national search for a coach that can lift the Blue Demons’ flagship program from the bottom of the Big East. DePaul finished 3-29 overall and 0-20 in Big East play this past season.
DePaul has been through four head coaching searches since its last NCAA Tournament appearance in 2004 — which resulted in hiring Jerry Wainwright, Oliver Purnell, Dave Leitao and Stubblefield. The first three were hired by former athletic director Jean Lenti Ponsetto, while Stubblefield was brought in by Peevy in 2021.
A change was needed this season. With a new practice facility in the works and needing to boost its NIL, DePaul couldn’t go into year four with Stubblefield at the helm. Peevy made the decision in January he had to make a decision during the season to get ahead of everyone else.
This search promised to be different. There was a commitment from the Board of Trustees to deliver more funds for this search. There was a level of focus and attention to this search that made this process feel different. The university was connected.
Several names were linked to the job. Oklahoma head coach Porter Moser had to deny rumors twice linking him to the job. Arizona State Bobby Hurley was also another high-profile name reportedly connected to the job.
Two months later, Holtmann accepted DePaul’s reportedly lucrative offer to become the school’s ninth men’s basketball head coach. Holtmann received a six-year contract according to CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander. The 52-year-old got fired by Ohio State in February after spending seven seasons as its head coach and going 137-86. He delivered four NCAA Tournaments for the Buckeyes.
Previously, Holtmann was Butler’s coach from 2014-17, making the Sweet 16 in his final season with the Bulldogs.
“After an extensive national search, I am proud to welcome Chris Holtmann to Chicago and our Blue Demon family,” Peevy said in a statement. “Chris’ track record as a head coach of high-level programs, demonstrated commitment to excellence on and off the court, and NCAA postseason experience made him the perfect hire for DePaul. Chris unmistakably shares our values and our vision for DePaul men’s basketball, recognizes our commitment to the resources required to compete at a high level, and is eager to return our program to national prominence.”
Holtmann delivers DePaul credibility. He raises the program’s floor. He makes the program respectable compared to its peers in the Big East. He gives DePaul fans something it has not had in some time — hope.
“I am very excited about this opportunity to be the head men’s basketball coach at DePaul,” Holtmann said in a statement. “During this process, I was extremely impressed with the commitment, eagerness and vision of DeWayne Peevy and President Manuel to build a successful BIG EAST basketball program. My wife, Lori, and our daughter, Nora, look forward to getting to Chicago and spending time in the DePaul community. We can’t wait to get to work!”
Holtmann has done it in the Big East with Butler with three straight postseason appearances. He knows the conference and what it takes to win in one of America’s strongest leagues. His final two seasons at Ohio State didn’t result in winning seasons, but his recruiting was always top-50 nationally, according to 247Sports.
The task seems harder this time around. DePaul has not had a winning conference season since 2006-07. The program has had two overall winning seasons since 2005.
The Blue Demons need a revamp. The roster needs an overhaul. Holtmann gives DePaul a strong chance of respectability quickly. He knows how to recruit. He has proven he can compete in two power conferences.
The Big East features some of the most accomplished head coaches in the country. Rick Pitino and Dan Hurley have won national championships. Ed Cooley, Thad Matta, Greg McDermott and Sean Miller are all proven winners with previous deep NCAA Tournament runs.
DePaul hasn’t had a coach with that type of resume before during its time in the Big East. It has been behind the eight-ball every time it steps into the ring against another Big East foe.
Holtmann changes that. He can make DePaul competitive again. He gives DePaul hope in the recruitment front and on the court — and that’s all DePaul fans have been clinging for since the search ensued two months ago.