Gregg Popovich built dynasties with the San Antonio Spurs from his fundamental approach, intensive teaching and team play. Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has won two titles with six NBA Finals appearances by emotionally fueling his players to play emotion-fueled basketball, and though he won his championships with Hall of Famers LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in tow, he’s elevated lesser rosters to the point of making the NBA’s list of the 15 greatest coaches of all-time alongside Popovich in 2022.
Four games into his (interim) head coaching career and nowhere near the accolades of those greats, it’s clear that this Ohio State team is embodying the spirit of Jake Diebler.