Jake Diebler traded in a basketball for golf clubs on Wednesday.
The Ohio State men’s basketball coach joined PGA Tour professionals Brian Harman (front nine) and Lucas Glover (back nine), former Buckeye quarterback Bobby Hoying and Ohio State deputy athletic director Dan Cloran for a round in the Memorial Tournament’s Golden Bear Pro-Am.
Ohio Stars mens basketball coach Jake Diebler is playing in the Memorial Tournaments Golden Bear Pro-Am. He's spent a lot of time speaking with fans and signing autographs so far. pic.twitter.com/wPLonPehZi
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) June 3, 2026
Diebler’s appearance came one year after Ohio State football coach Ryan Day played in the event alongside Nick Saban. The national championship-winning coaches teamed up with PGA Tour professionals Justin Thomas (front nine) and Corey Conners (back nine) at Muirfield Village Golf Club, with philanthropist Lee Styslinger III rounding out the group.
Hoying quarterbacked Ohio State from 1992-95 and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors as a senior. The Philadelphia Eagles selected him with the No. 85 overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft, and he spent six NFL seasons between the Eagles and the Oakland Raiders.
Cloran is in his 13th year at Ohio State and has served as executive associate athletic director for development and sports administration for the past 11. He oversees men’s basketball, men's golf and women's golf for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State mens basketball coach Jake Diebler crushed this drive down the middle. pic.twitter.com/eX2Url7Hhf
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) June 3, 2026
Over the portion of the round Eleven Warriors observed — holes Nos. 1-3 — Diebler showed both power and accuracy off the tee but struggled to adjust to the speed of the tour-level greens. His best shot came on the par-3 third hole, where he finished closest to the pin. Harman’s tee shot came up short and settled near the greenside water, Hoying found the bunker and Cloran missed left into the rough.
Diebler’s worst shot came on his final hole of the day, as an errant approach shot right of the green bounced off the top of a stroller, but fortunately avoided striking anyone in the gallery.
“I almost hit somebody. Thank God I didn’t. It was close,” Diebler said after the round.
Overall, Diebler assessed his play on Wednesday as “not great.” But he was proud to receive a compliment on his driving from one of the pros he played with, and said it was an honor to play in an event hosted by Jack Nicklaus.
“To be a part of an event hosted by one of the ultimate Buckeyes is pretty special,” Diebler said.
Diebler also enjoyed having the opportunity to interact with Ohio State fans throughout the day, stopping to sign autographs and/or take photos with just about everyone who asked.
“When you get to sit in the seat, you've got a responsibility to give back. And we have unbelievable support. People are really excited about this team. We felt that today. And listen, I was once those kids. So I try not to take a single opportunity for granted and want to make sure that we're taking care of those young Buckeye fans.
“It’s a great reminder: Buckeye Nation is the best. And any time you get a chance to get out and be around them, it's a great thing.”
