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Ohio State Basketball Coach Reacts To Being Called Poor On National TV By FOX Commentator

#Ohio State Buckeyes
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Jake Diebler / Ohio State Buckeyes

© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images


At Ohio State University, football is king. That’s no secret to most college sports fans.

Buckeyes basketball takes a backseat. That can be seen in fan support, marketing, national exposure, and as FOX commentator Gus Johnson pointed out this past weekend, NIL budget.


Ohio State recently travelled to Tennessee to take part in the Nashville Hoops Showdown. They played Virginia, a school known for its strong basketball history.

Both teams entered the contest with NCAA Tournament aspirations. The Cavaliers were all but set after winning 21 of their first 24 games.

The Buckeyes, meanwhile, came in at a respectable 16-8. It put them on the bubble for postseason play.

As both battled for a shot at the Big Dance, commentator Gus Johnson spoke to the strengths of each team. He noted Virginia’s advantage when it comes to NIL spending.

Gus Johnson called Ohio State basketball poor.

“The difference between UVA and Ohio State is… UVA paid for their players,” Johnson said on the national broadcast. “Ohio State gave all their money to Ryan Day.”

The announcer said head coach Jake Diebler’s job is made more difficult by the football team’s success. He’s right.

Ohio State is one of college football’s biggest spenders. As a result, they’re in the national title hunt yearly.

Basketball has paid the price in the NIL era. It receives less fanfare and buy-in from the athletic department.

The Buckeyes have not made an NCAA Tournament in the last three seasons. They are on the outside looking in according to the latest Bracketology projections on ESPN.

Ohio State would lose the basketball game to Virginia, 70-66. Gus Johnson’s comments made headlines on social media. Diebler heard the broadcast and responded in a recent interview.

How did Jake Diebler react?

“All information reported is not accurate,” he said. “There’s an element to NIL that’s hidden… Part of what makes Ohio State special is that we’ve got a big-time athletic department that strives for excellence in 36 sports.

“There’s no question that football is a major, major financial driver to the operation… We have been working relentlessly to push and increase our NIL situation… I’m excited about the things that are happening to help us be better… It’s a fight. It’s a battle.”

Diebler admitted that his NIL situation could be better. With that said, many in Columbus have been quick to point out his recruiting failures.

The most recent class brought in four highly rated transfers. Only one, center Christopher Tilly, has made notable contributions.

The 2024 transfer class, which ranked 17th in the nation, is now gone. Two players graduated. Three others left after just one season.

Two things can be true. More money can be invested into the program. It can also be spent smarter. Coaches can’t continue to whiff in recruiting.

Gus Johnson said the quiet part out loud during Ohio State’s basketball game. Jake Diebler didn’t disagree. He’ll work to both secure more NIL funds for the future and spend them more effectively.