Chris Jent left Ohio State nearly three years ago, but he never left Thad Matta’s inner circle. On Thursday, Jent was officially named to replace Jeff Boals as one of Matta’s assistant coaches. Boals took the head coaching job at Stony Brook on April 8, and as the Ohio State interview process was ongoing, Matta said he was in regular contact with Jent, who had been with the program as an assistant from 2011 to ’13. So when a position was going to open, Matta said it didn’t take a special phone call or pitch to land Jent. >> Keep up with BuckeyeXtra on Facebook and Twitter ‘I had always told him, ‘Look, if this NBA thing doesn’t work out, I’d always love to have you back in some capacity, some form,’ ‘ Matta said Thursday. ‘It wasn’t like, ‘Hey, Chris, this is Thad. I know I haven’t talked to you in two years.’ We talk a lot. There was nothing out of the ordinary.’ Jent, who was not available for comment, will return to Ohio State today and immediately hit the recruiting trail, Matta said, and the now-complete coaching staff will meet Monday and start outlining individual responsibilities. Boals primarily oversaw the Ohio State defense, but Jent is known for his offensive prowess. Matta did not commit to roles for his assistants. Greg Paulus, who replaced Jent, has worked mostly with the offense. During Jent’s two seasons with Matta, the Buckeyes reached the Final Four in 2012 and the Elite Eight the following year…
Continue Reading: Ohio State men’s basketball | Chris Jent returns to coaching staff
