William Buford has been no stranger to the Ohio State men’s basketball program. Since finishing his playing career in 2012 as one of the school’s all-time most prolific scorers, Buford has made his home in Columbus, worked out at the Jerome Schottenstein Center during the summer, earned his degree and even played against current players as a member of the scout team.
Now, he’s officially part of the team once again. The retired professional athlete and Ohio State alumnus will take his first steps into the coaching world as a program assistant for coach Jake Diebler, joining Ohio State’s staff for the 2026-27 season.
“It’s just surreal,” Buford said. “I’ve been super excited every day I’ve been walking into the gym. It’s new to me and I get to learn under these guys and guys who I consider family who I’ve been knowing for basically half of my life. It’s a dope experience, and I think it’ll be fun.”
As a program assistant, Buford will have myriad responsibilities. The role will evolve throughout the year, but Buford will be on the court for workouts. He’ll probably help out on Ohio State’s scout team. He’s learning how to cut and code film for the coaching staff. He’ll be in coaches meetings, help with some scouting and “anything that the program needs,” he said.
Buford’s 12-year professional career ended in 2024, leading to a job helping train kids to play basketball and also the role of coach for his son’s third-grade basketball team. Both endeavors helped get him into the groove of turning basketball into a full-time career, and he let Diebler know that he would be interested in any sort of role that might be open within the program.
Once the 2025-26 season ended, Buford said everything fell into place.
“I’m just always around, so to actually get a job here, it’s really surreal,” he said. “I really appreciate Jake and the program for giving me this position, honestly.”
Buford signed with Ohio State as part of the 2008 class and went on to score 1,990 points, tied with Jerry Lucas for fourth-most in program history, before embarking on a professional career that also included time in the NBA’s G League. While with the Buckeyes, Buford grew close with teammate Jon Diebler, who was one year ahead of him in school and the younger brother of Ohio State’s coach.
His ties to the Diebler family aren’t the only ones within the program. He played for assistant coach Dave Dickerson, now a member of Diebler’s staff, and worked out for strength and conditioning coach Dave Richardson, who has also been hired to the staff. Richardson is returning to Ohio State after eight years in the same role at the University of Arkansas.
“It makes it feel like family,” Buford said. “I’ve been knowing Jake since forever because of Jon. Coach (Dickerson) has been around. Coach Rich, that’s my guy.”
In his four years at Ohio State, Buford never missed out on the NCAA Tournament, reached the Sweet 16 twice and played in the 2012 Final Four under coach Thad Matta. Now his hope is to help Diebler get the Buckeyes back to similar heights.
“I genuinely love the program and want to see the program be better,” he said. “To help work them out, just give them any type of knowledge that I’m gathered for the years and be able to pass it down, that’s what it’s all about. The fact that I’m able to do that and for the Ohio State program, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Ohio State men’s basketball beat writer Adam Jardy can be reached at ajardy@dispatch.com, on Bluesky at @cdadamjardy.bsky.social or on Twitter at @AdamJardy.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State’s William Buford ready for ‘surreal’ step into coaching
Reporting by Adam Jardy, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
