I don't look at all the rumor mills, but I haven't seen Boals's name associated with any other coaching search. Maybe it's because Ohio hasn't made a deep run through the NCAA tourney during his tenure (a la Groce), or maybe it's because he has someone in or near Indy who's making his case.

As for the posts on the Butler board, apparently they've forgotten what life is like in "mid-major" land. If you have a coach who has even a modicum of success, his name usually comes up somewhere. And, unless he's like Charlie Coles, he eventually moves on. No need to get too upset about it. You deal with it and use the buyout to get somebody else.

I'm here from the Butler forum (I come in peace)! VERY few of us seem excited in any way for Boals. Many of us are clamoring for Nored to return. Honestly, what's your take on Boals? Do you think he would do well with Butler, or do you think we should be sniffing elsewhere?

You make a fair point about losing coaches just being a way of life in mid major programs. Butler sure lost their share and will probably continue to in the future since our budget doesn't really reflect that if a P6 team.

Regarding recruiting, it's worth pointing out the would-be incoming recruiting class for next year is Boals' most highly regarded yet with multiple Top-100 recruits.

The thought of losing Boals hurts extra as he is a former Ohio-player/alum. He's had success here but it doesn't feel like he's been here long enough to be leaving already... crushing for fans here.

Been a Butler fan for years as many of our North Central Conference guys (Archey, Horan, Miller and many before them) ended up there and before that we have had players there.... A couple of my friends played Football and ran Cross there back in the 60s and 70s. Loyal Dogs.

I agree with the observation they really went over the top as a fanbase. Game threads are VERY entertaining. WHen I read the post years ago that they should "dump Ball State because Ball was dragging the RPI down" I laughed. remembering all the years of rivalry. When guys I go to games with lamented hiring a "schlub from Gardner Webb who can't possibly be any good seeing where he came from" I assured them that they would really like him....then I consoled them and talked them off the ledge when he left.

It is sad that my older friends that used to sit down with Tony Hinkle after he retired talk about how entitled the fanbase has become. We still go to games a few times a year and watching their board provides entertainment when I can't find much else to do. Xavier is much the same with Musketeerscoop having dwindled as the new board attracts the new gen of fans.

Interesting to see an actual Butler fan over here asking astute questions. Boals would be a good hire I have no doubt. He may not be splashy but I think his work ethic, background and personality would fit right in. He would be quick to embrace and understand "The Butler Way" unlike many coaches out there. I think Ronald would be a good hire but I suspect he might be in the same boat as Brandon was as far as being head man. Moving over 3 feet like Brad, Thad and Lick did was easier as they had toiled as assistants and understood the workings and what goes on at every level from Ops to Video to recruiting and assistant roles. MHO is that Woodson down at IU is learning that the move from pros to college has a ton of behind the scenes parameters that he has to learn or rely on surrounding himself with really good folk and listening to them. I like both guys and could see Groce there as well but it will be an interesting hire. I still root for Butler and through Kuwick, Kampen, Chris and all the guys we have known over the year....I will always be around no matter who gets hired will support but it is going to be an interesting few weeks. Talking to parents and families this last week of players from the last 2 decades in the last few days, there is a lot of interest locally in seeing who gets hired.

Im prepared to wish Jeff all the best in future endeavors. It took me a day to make peace with the possibility of him moving on but im all good now. A March Madness win will do that to a fella.

Given the fact Sears and Vander Plas are leaving it may be the best time for Boals to move on. He clearly is interested in moving to the next rung no matter how further up the ladder it is from where he is now. I respect his opinion and I'm appreciative of his time here. The Bobcats need someone who will be ready to rebuild this team and that may take a few years. Bring on a fresh young coach ready to take on a new challenge!

Whew!

I just want to see how this incoming recruiting class does, and maybe a few impact transfers from the portal.

It seems pretty evident from this tweet...

https://twitter.com/DarrinBowers/status/15078950654982430... =

Glad to hear Butler went with Thad Matta. He's a great coach and I'm happy for him.

This Bobcats recruiting class has tremendous upside. It's vital for Ohio to keep Jeff Boals if for no other reason than to get these kids on campus.

Obviously losing BVP and Sears will hurt (assuming they're gone) but there's still talent on this roster and the rest of the MAC outside of Toledo has been gutted as well.

The transfer portal gives programs like Ohio a chance to gain back what they lose. Not saying it'll equal itself out but I'm confident a program like OU will attract quality talent and remain among the top teams in the MAC as long as Boals remains head coach at Ohio University.

I’m glad Boals is not going to Butler and I’m also not going to get too worked up over him being in the mix over there as we don’t know, and will probably never know, what his level of interest was in that job. I get a calls from headhunters every few months and I always listen to what they have to say but it doesn’t mean I’m all that interested.

SBH has entered the transfer portal...

Will he transfer to a P5 school and be content riding the bench?

There are still assistants to be hired at Butler, so we might not be out of the woods yet, especially if Matta -- who has had health issues -- promises an assistant that he will be the "head coach in waiting." Not sure that Boals would give up being captain of his ship to become first mate on Matta's ship under such a circumstance.

Very glad it looks like jeff will be around athens a little longer.