Gene Smith: Chris Holtmann always top choice to lead Buckeyes

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State's search for a new basketball coach began and ended with Butler's Chris Holtmann.

Holtmann was offered the job by Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith one day after Thad Matta's firing was announced, but didn't accept until two days later after Smith agreed to bump the contract from seven years to eight, at about $3 million per year.

"It was clear," Smith said at a news conference introducing Holtmann, who took Butler to the NCAA Tournament in each of his three seasons. "He was my target. He was my target from the very beginning."

New Buckeyes coach Chris Holtmann says he's not going to shy away from the high expectations at Ohio State.While Holtmann considered…