If you follow anything in regards to Butler basketball, you now know that the Dawgs’ beloved coach has left Butler for Ohio State University. Holtmann led Butler’s team through three strong seasons, the 2016-2017 season being the toughest; not physically, but emotionally. The loss of previous players and family of the team were tragedies Holtmann himself helped the team through. His character and supportiveness throughout all of these hardships are one of the many reasons us dawgs are sad to see him go.

As a student, my peers and I have shed one too many tears as a result of this press release. But as a sports fan, I have a different perspective. As devastating as his leaving is, we need to cut the whole “what will we do?!” act. From 2000-2017, we’ve had six different coaches, Holtmann’s replacement being our seventh. Yet I wouldn’t say our program has ever lagged for a good amount of time. Butler has continuously improved, and I have no doubt we can and will stay on track through this switch.

When BU lost Brad Stevens in 2013, fans were sure the Dawgs wouldn’t recover. Then Holtmann came along and led us through multiple tournament games, Big East competitions, even two wins against number one ranked Villanova. Now here we are only four short years later, wondering how we’ll succeed without our leader.

Well, we’ll do what we always do; find someone suitable for the job and give them a good team of assistants. We have had a strong program for years- decades even. This makes it all the more humorous every March when BU is referred to as “the underdog”.

There is no doubt that Butler is being used a stepping stone to bigger and (debatably better) programs. However, that’s just a career move we’ll have to learn to live with. Butler will find another head coach, and our players will continue to put as much heart into the game that they always have. Bouncing back is second nature to the dawgs, so this isn't anything out of the ordinary. I know Coach Holtmann will always have a little Bulldog in his heart, and his character will undoubtedly shine through wherever his career takes him. Butler may be in recovery mode, but it's no reason to lash out a man who has given his all during his time at Butler. Below is his statement in regards to his departure.

And hey, as Butler says, “Bulldogs are made, not born.” I believe another Bulldog will be made in the next few months.