Ohio State announced this week that Mike Wells, a seasoned NBA assistant, will take over the role vacated by Joel Justuce, who left for Vanderbilt.
Wells, an Ohio native from Mount Vernon, brings a résumé that stretches from the hardwood of college courts to the sidelines of NBA powerhouses.
His coaching path began in the early 1990s with the Cougars, progressed to a video coordination stint with the Houston Rockets, and then a decade‑long run as an NBA assistant with the Rockets, Lakers, Spurs and Wizards.
He later served as an assistant at George Mason and the University of South Florida before returning to the NBA with the Utah Jazz, where he helped the club navigate a turbulent period.
A stint in Australia with the Adelaide 36ers culminated in a championship, after which Wells stepped down to be with his family, expressing gratitude for the experience.
A New Chapter for the Buckeyes
Wells' appointment signals a clear intent by head coach Jake Diebler to blend NBA polish with proven developmental expertise. The move underscores a strategy that values experience on the global stage as much as local roots.
He will join returning assistants Dave Dickerson, Jamall Walker, Luke Simons and Brian Walsh as the Buckeyes continue to assemble a competitive staff.
The university is still searching for a new strength and conditioning coach to complete the roster.