Power Danger: Diebler Faces Daunting Task as 1st-Year Coach at Ohio State

There was no grooming comparable to most coaches working their way up the ladder from the bush leagues. Despite boasting zero college head-coaching experience, Jon Scheyer (Duke) and Jerome Tang (Kansas State) each won at least 26 games two years ago after hired to be in charge of a power-conference member. Meanwhile, Kenny Payne (Louisville) endured a painful campaign (4-28) and was dismissed after last season.

There is no rhyme or reason regarding first-year results. But if Ohio State's Jake Diebler assembles an average inaugural campaign, the interim promoted to head coach faces an overall record of 19-14 with losing league mark. Just ask dearly-departed Payne plus Mike Boynton, Mike Hopkins, Jerry Stackhouse and Tony Stubblefield if first-year worksheets for mentors in this category usually generate positive headlines. For instance, all three newcomers in the Big Ten Conference three years ago registered losing league marks. In the previous 10 years, newcomer power-league mentors combined for an average record of 15-17 overall and 6-12 in league competition. Only eight active coaches on the following alphabetical list compiled a winning power-league ledger in his inaugural season sans benefit of toiling as a full-time college bench boss: