July 1, 2013

COLUMBUS, Ohio–Thad Matta, head coach of the Buckeyes, filled two positions Monday on the Ohio State men’s basketball staff. Greg Paulus, who served the last two seasons as the team’s video coordinator, was named an assistant coach. Jake Diebler, who spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at Valparaiso, is the new video coordinator for the Buckeyes.

Paulus replaced Chris Jent, who became an assistant coach with the Sacramento Kings last month. Jent left after two seasons as an assistant coach at Ohio State.

Matta said Paulus has the necessary skills to make a significant contribution to the Ohio State program.

“I’ve had a long association with Greg from recruiting, watching him as a player and working with him as our video coordinator the last couple years,” Matta said. “He has done all the right things to make himself ready for this opportunity. We are fortunate to add his basketball experience and knowledge to our coaching staff.”

Paulus was added to the Ohio State men’s basketball staff as video coordinator in June of 2011. He spent the 2010-11 campaign as an assistant coach at Navy.

After two seasons working with the Buckeyes, Paulus said he is prepared to take the next step.

“It has been an honor to be a part of the Ohio State University community for the last two years,” Paulus said. “I am extremely grateful to Coach Matta and the coaching staff for the opportunity to have a larger role with a basketball program that has great success and history. I look forward to representing and further developing the basketball tradition at The Ohio State University.”

Prior to beginning his coaching career at Navy, Paulus had a successful four-year playing career at Duke (2006-09) and a one-year stint playing quarterback at Syracuse while pursuing a master’s degree. A three-year starter for the Blue Devils, he played on four NCAA tournament teams, helping Duke to a 112-28 record while leading the team in assists in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

As a freshman in 2006, Paulus was a member of the All-ACC team and a second-team freshman All-American while averaging 6.7 ppg and 5.2 apg. He remains one of just four freshmen in ACC history to lead the league in assists, joining North Carolina’s Ed Cota (1997), Georgia Tech’s Kenny Anderson (1990) and current American coach and former Virginia standout Jeff Jones (1979).

Paulus spent the 2009-10 year at Syracuse as the starting quarterback on the Orange football team, throwing for 2,024 yards and 13 touchdowns in 12 games while helping the Orange to a 4-8 record, matching the program’s best record since the 2004 season. It was Paulus’ first action on the football field since being named the 2005 Gatorade National High School Player of the Year. He was invited to the New Orleans Saints minicamp in both May and June of 2010, but was not offered a contract.

A native of Syracuse, N.Y., Paulus also excelled in the classroom throughout his collegiate career, earning three-time member of the ACC All-Academic Team and was a two-time third-team academic All-America selection, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in political science with a certificate in business in 2009. He went on to earn his master’s degree in communications from the Newhouse Television, Radio and Film department at Syracuse in 2010, earning 2009 Big East All-Academic Team honors.

The video coordinator position vacated by Paulus has been filled by Jake Diebler, the older brother of former Ohio State guard Jon Diebler.

Jake recently finished his second season as an assistant coach at Valparaiso University. He completed his fourth year overall as a member of the Valparaiso men’s basketball coaching staff in 2013 after helping guide Valpo to the Horizon League regular season title in 2011-12. Diebler spent one season as director of basketball operations and one as a student assistant following his playing career with the Crusaders.

Matta said Diebler’s basketball history made his hire an easy decision.

“Jake comes from an accomplished basketball family,” Matta said. “He has been a winner as a player at the high school and collegiate levels and has continued that success into the coaching ranks. His work ethic is second to none and I know he will be a fantastic addition to our basketball family.”

After watching his brother Jon during his career at Ohio State, Jake said becoming a Buckeye was an easy decision.

“To be part of the best program in the country was an opportunity I could not pass up,” Diebler said. “Because my brother Jon played here, I have a great appreciation for Ohio State basketball. The chance to work with Coach Matta and the coaching staff will help me and my professional career.”

In Diebler’s first season as a full-time assistant coach, he was part of a staff which helped lead Valparaiso to 22 wins and the regular-season championship, the first by Valpo since joining the Horizon League. Diebler also helped the Crusaders to a berth in the 2012 Postseason National Invitational Tournament.

Diebler served as director of basketball operations during the 2010-11 season, helping the Crusaders to a 23-win season, finishing just one game out of the regular-season title, and a berth in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament. As a student assistant in 2009-10, Diebler helped guide the Crusaders to 15 wins and a fourth-place finish in the Horizon League standings.

Known as one of the Crusaders’ hardest-working players on both ends of the court during his time as a player, Diebler set a Valpo Division I record by starting each and every one of the Crusaders’ 98 games over the final three seasons of his career. He also had a string of 278 consecutive minutes played over seven games in the final half of his senior season, believed to be a Valpo record as well.

Diebler ranked among the Horizon League Top 10 in a trio of categories as a senior, finishing fourth in minutes played (33.8/game), sixth in 3-pointers made (1.8/game) and eighth in steals (1.3/game). He finished his Crusader career 10th in Valpo history with 130 career steals and 16th all-time at Valpo with 229 career assists.

Also a standout in the classroom, Diebler earned Academic All-League honors and Horizon League Academic Honor Roll mention during his career, as well as being named to the NABC Honors Court. Diebler graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Valparaiso in May 2009 and with an MBA in 2011.