On September 3, the Ohio State men’s basketball program made a significant announcement regarding its staff. Jared Sullinger, a celebrated figure in Buckeyes history, is returning to his alma mater in a new capacity as the director of player development under head coach Jake Diebler. Sullinger, who is among only three players in Ohio State history to earn first-team All-American honors multiple times, expressed his excitement about this new chapter.
The decision to join the coaching staff had been in the works for some time, with Sullinger keeping the news under wraps until the official announcement. He revealed that even his close friends and former teammates, including Aaron Craft and David Lighty, were unaware of his plans until the press release was issued. "Honestly, nobody knew. I kept it under wraps for a reason," Sullinger stated, hinting at the emotional weight of his announcement.
With this move, Sullinger has officially retired from professional basketball, a journey that spanned two years at Ohio State, five seasons in the NBA, and several years overseas, primarily in China. His decision to step away from playing was influenced by his desire to be more present for his family. Sullinger and his wife, DeAnn, have three young children, and he emphasized the importance of being a father. "My kids needed dad, and I needed to be there for them," he explained, highlighting a shift in priorities after years of focusing on his basketball career.
Sullinger's transition into coaching was first discussed during his last season as a player, but timing was not right until now, especially after the departure of NIL/community relations coordinator Nick Kellogg opened up the opportunity. In his new role, Sullinger will work directly with current players during practices, aiming to help them develop both on and off the court. He expressed his commitment to filling any gaps within the program, stating, "Any way I can help the team, whether that’s on the court or off the court, that’s my job. I want to help this program get back to its prestigious ways."
During Sullinger's playing career at Ohio State, the Buckeyes achieved remarkable success, compiling a record of 65-11, winning two Big Ten titles, and reaching the Sweet 16 and Final Four. However, the program has not captured a Big Ten title since the 2011-12 season, when Sullinger was a sophomore. Now, he joins a coaching staff that includes several familiar faces from his playing days, such as assistant coach Dave Dickerson and strength and conditioning coach Dave Richardson, both of whom were part of the successful run during Sullinger's tenure.
As Sullinger embarks on his coaching journey, he acknowledges the importance of learning from past experiences while looking forward. He stated, "I always say the past is in the past. We’ve got to move forward and find new ways to win." His approach will reflect the same intensity and dedication he displayed as a player, promising fans that they will see a familiar attitude from him on the sidelines. "I’m very detail-oriented. I’m very high on getting guys better in their skill set," he said, indicating his commitment to developing the next generation of Buckeye basketball players.
With Sullinger now officially part of the Ohio State coaching staff, the program looks poised to harness his wealth of experience and passion for the game as they aim to reclaim their status among college basketball's elite.
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