In a recent interview on The SchuZ Show, newly appointed DePaul head coach Chris Holtmann shared valuable insights into his coaching philosophy, approach to building a program, and the exciting challenge that lies ahead in reviving the Blue Demons' basketball fortunes.
Holtmann, who previously found tremendous success as the head coach at Butler and Ohio State, discussed the factors that drew him to take on the DePaul job, emphasizing the university's strong commitment to the basketball program and the hunger to return to relevance in the powerhouse Big East conference.
"DePaul in particular, I think I had an AD who's really, really hungry, that was exciting for me to be at a school where I knew they were going to be highly invested in the basketball program's success," Holtmann explained.
One of the key aspects Holtmann highlighted was the wealth of local talent in the Chicago area and surrounding suburbs that he plans to tap into as he rebuilds the DePaul roster. He believes the depth of talent in Illinois and the bordering states provides a significant recruiting advantage that the Blue Demons can leverage.
"The depth of talent in the suburbs, up and down the state of Illinois, also the bordering states here, that you can really tap into. Wisconsin has had a great depth of talent, and just the states around Illinois, Indiana has been able to provide really good players. And I'm really excited about where recruiting is at for us right now," Holtmann said.
In assembling his first DePaul roster, Holtmann emphasized the importance of blending experienced, mature players with talented young prospects. He spoke about the value of having "consistently mature teams" as well as adding "impact young players" to create the right mix.
"We were really looking for skill, shooting, competitive and tough kids," Holtmann explained. "We wanted to add a group that has that ability, and I think we've added a group that has that."
One of the hallmarks of Holtmann's coaching career has been his ability to identify and develop talented players, regardless of their recruiting rankings coming out of high school. He discussed the surprising rise of players like Malaki Branham and Brice Sensabaugh, who he didn't initially expect to become one-and-done talents but ultimately blossomed into NBA-caliber prospects under his guidance.
"I texted a couple NBA guys, 15 practices in of Malachi's freshman year, and I said, 'Hey, you probably want to come take a look at him this year,'" Holtmann recalled. "They were already going to, but I said, 'He does some things in practice that are NBA-like.'"
Holtmann's emphasis on building genuine relationships with his players and fostering a culture of accountability and growth has been a hallmark of his coaching career. He believes this approach is crucial in today's landscape, where players face unique challenges and pressures.
"Players can spot a fraud, and they can spot if you're being genuine with them or not," Holtmann said. "I just think in life, it really serves you well if you can be genuine and real. And that's what I've tried to do throughout my coaching tenure."
As Holtmann embarks on his new chapter at DePaul, he is excited about the challenge of rebuilding the program and returning it to prominence in the Big East. His focus is on instilling a competitive spirit, fostering player development, and creating a culture that resonates with the DePaul community.
"Our goal right now is just to stay focused on improvement and getting better every day," Holtmann said. "With that, I think the results will come absolutely."
With Holtmann's proven track record, his genuine approach to coaching, and his vision for DePaul basketball, Blue Demons fans can look forward to an exciting new era of growth and success under his leadership.
Watch the full Chris Holtmann interview here:
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