A New Chapter for DePaul Basketball
Chris Holtmann, the former Vanderbilt coach known for engineering turnarounds at programs that seemed stuck in mediocrity, has turned his attention to the Blue Demons. After a stint at Vanderbilt where he halted a 26‑game conference losing streak and lifted the Commodores from a sub‑20% win rate to respectability, Holtmann now brings that same relentless mindset to DePaul, a school that has not tasted the NCAA tournament since the 2003‑04 season.
DePaul’s basketball history is marked by more than just a drought in March Madness. The program has been haunted by a point‑shaving scandal that still echoes in Chicago, and over the past two decades it has managed only two winning seasons since joining the Big East in 2005‑06. The team has endured twelve campaigns in which it dropped at least fifteen conference games, a statistic that underscores the depth of the challenge facing the new coaching staff.
Holtmann’s recruitment philosophy hinges on attracting players who are unbothered by the school’s past woes and who carry a chip‑on‑the‑shoulder mentality. Recent additions illustrate this approach: 7‑foot transfer Magoon Gwath, who chose DePaul over Kentucky and other Power Five suitors, arrived after a standout season at San Diego State. The staff evaluates prospects not only on size and basketball IQ but also on toughness and a genuine desire to win, aiming to maximize both on‑court impact and roster retention.
The practical realities of building a competitive program are evident in the numbers. Average attendance at Wintrust Arena sits at roughly 4,600 fans, well below the venue’s 10,387 capacity, suggesting ample room for growth in fan engagement. Yet the coaching staff sees the arena’s modern amenities as a foundation for a louder, more intimidating environment that can help shift the program’s perception.
Industry analysts have noted that DePaul’s defensive identity is beginning to take shape, with the potential to rank among the nation’s top ten defenses if the current trajectory holds. Offensively, the team is being molded for versatility, allowing multiple scoring options that can adapt to different opponents. Holtmann’s ultimate metric is a top‑50 NET ranking, which would not only secure an at‑large NCAA bid but also signal that the Blue Demons are finally moving beyond the shadows of their recent past.
The parallels to Vanderbilt’s resurgence are intentional. Just as Holtmann leveraged improved recruiting and a clear defensive scheme to rewrite the Commodores’ narrative, he hopes to replicate that formula in Chicago. The combination of a renewed recruiting pipeline, a focus on toughness, and a clear tactical identity suggests that the DePaul project could follow a similar arc — provided the resources and patience align.
Looking Forward
If the early signs are any indication, the Blue Demons may soon find themselves on a different side of the conversation, one that includes talk of at‑large bids and a NET ranking that places them comfortably within the tournament bubble. For now, the focus remains on building a culture that values winning above all else, and the first steps toward that culture are already being taken on the practice floor and in the recruiting offices.