2016 NFL Draft, Day 2: Top talent still available for the Browns
April 29, 2016Watch: Browns WR Corey Coleman’s path to the draft
April 29, 2016For the first time since joining head coach Thad Matta’s staff — again — Ohio State assistant Chris Jent spoke to the media. In doing so, he not only expressed his happiness to be back in Columbus, but also his appreciation for Matta to even give him another shot. When asked by the head coach if he wanted to return to the Buckeyes, Jent made a simple statement, one that made it obvious to Matta and company that they had just found their new assistant coach to replace Jeff Boals, who took the head coaching job at Stony Brook.
From Eleven Warriors’ Tim Shoemaker.
“I’ll walk there if you want me to … It just, when leaving [the first time] I kind of had mixed feelings about leaving and then having the opportunity to come back, it made all the sense in the world and I was really happy when Thad had talked to me about coming back. I couldn’t get here quick enough. It was great. It was a quick decision. Thad asked me if I would be interested and I immediately said yes. … It was a quick decision and I’m just very happy, I feel very much at home.”
Jent, who played for Ohio State from 1988-92 and was an assistant on Matta’s staff during the 2012 and 2013 seasons before leaving for the Sacramento Kings, expressed his love for his alma mater, something that Matta and Jent himself hope that he can instill in the current Buckeyes and future recruits. If anything, the head coach knows that his assistant will do his best to help the school that he loves most, whether it be on the recruiting trail or on the court during the season.
“I love the fact that [Jent’s] appreciation for his university is second to none. This place being successful means a great deal to him. You go to school here, you play here, you meet your wife here, all those things.”
After struggles throughout the 2015 season, the basketball program needs a boost, one that Jent believes he can bring. Whether it be in class or on the basketball court, Jent admitted that he will do whatever he can to help his players win a national championship.
“I want to attack every day. I really want to help this program every day and whether it be recruiting, having a conversation with one of the guys, helping them understand their academic responsibilities, whatever it might be, I want to make sure I’m doing my best every single day to get that 1960 [national championship banner], get it some company up there on the wall.”
During his first stint as an assistant coach at Ohio State, Jent’s focus was more on the offensive side of the ball. But, with him replacing Boals, who was the defensive specialist, his role could possibly change heading into the upcoming season. With experience in both the NCAA and NBA as a coach and in college as a player, Jent seems to be a guy that will take on whatever role Matta needs him to take on and be success at that role.