NCAA News Wire
Butler elevates Holtmann from interim coach
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
Chris Holtmann was named Butler’s permanent coach on Friday, replacing Brandon Miller.
Holtmann was serving as interim coach after Miller took a medical leave of absence before the start of this season, which would have been his second as head coach. The school announced that Miller will not be back with the program.
ESPN reported that Holtmann and the university agreed to an multiyear contract.
Since Holttmann took over, the Bulldogs are 10-4 this season going into Saturday’s game against No. 15 St. John’s.
“Chris has provided important leadership and coached successfully in a difficult situation. He has fully embraced the Butler Way and we are confident in the future of our basketball program with Chris at the helm,” Butler athletic director Barry Collier. “We want to thank Brandon Miller for his many contributions to Butler over the last 18 months, and wish him well. Out of respect for Brandon and his privacy, we will have no additional comment.”
Holtmann served as Gardner-Webb’s head coach for three seasons before joining Miller’s stafff in June 2013.
“I am honored to be named the head coach at Butler University and it is a real privilege to serve the university in this capacity,” Holtmann said. “I would like to thank President (James) Danko and (athletic director) Barry Collier for their significant leadership and guidance during these last few months. I would also like to thank our staff and players for their incredible support and hard work. This is a special place and a program rich in tradition. We look forward to working extremely hard to make the Butler community proud in the coming years.
“We are grateful to Brandon for his leadership and he will always be an important part of Butler Basketball. He and his family remain in our program’s thoughts and prayers.”
