When Urban Meyer came to Columbus in 2012, it was clear he and his new coaching staff needed to change the culture of the Ohio State football program.
Five years later, the basketball program is going through a similar process.
Head coach Chris Holtmann has brought an entirely new coaching staff to Ohio State, including strength and conditioning coach Quadrian Banks.
Banks came to Ohio State after spending four years in the NFL as a strength and conditioning coach with both the Indianapolis Colts and the Philadelphia Eagles. He also spent two seasons with the Gardner-Webb basketball program (2011-13), when Holtmann was the Runnin' Bulldogs head coach.
With a new staff comes a new mindset and culture. Meeting with members of the media Thursday afternoon, Banks said one of the first things he noticed that needed changed within the Ohio State locker room had nothing to do with strength or skill.
"Attention to detail (and) work ethic," Banks said when asked what he thought Ohio State needed to improve on when he first arrived. "We will get stronger, we will get faster and we will lift the right kind of weight. It is just a day in and day out consistency."
Ohio State hoops going through its quick station workout. Bike, jump rope, and heavy ropes pic.twitter.com/lZYfnWoP8T
— James Grega Jr. (@JGrega11) September 14, 2017
Much like Holtmann, Banks said he is using the Ohio State football program and its coaches as a resource for improving his own team. In particular, Banks said he has spoken on occasion with Buckeye football strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti about how to improve the mindset and work ethic of the hoops squad.
"I have known Coach Marotti for a long time and have admired his work for a long time. He is a great strength and conditioning coach," Banks said. "We speak often, not necessarily about sets and reps, but about the mentality and culture building. He is one of the best in the country at doing that. To not use him as a resource would be ignorant."
Much like football, basketball coaches can only be around their players so often in the offseason. When attempting to establish a new culture, the strength coach plays an integral role.
Banks said at the collegiate level, there is an unquestioned responsibility for a strength and conditioning coach to integrate the new mindset and work ethic.
"It is absolutely huge. These guys are around me more than any position coach at this time because of NCAA rules, so they spend upwards of six hours a week in the weight room," Banks said. "The mentality that you bring to the table definitely plays a role with how they approach their work on the floor."
In addition to improving their attention to detail, Banks said he is preaching a tunnel vision mentality to the Buckeyes. Ohio State is coming off of its worst season since 2003-04 and despite the influx of energy from Holtmann and his staff, expectations for the 2017-18 Buckeyes are relatively low.
That being the case, Banks said he wants the Buckeyes to take a day-to-day approach in their preparation for the upcoming season.
"Be where your feet are," Banks said. "Don't worry so much about the outside noise. Just focus on the here and now. They are not worried about what is coming up this weekend...none of that matters. We are (in the weight room) right now, so let's get it done."
