Ohio State men’s basketball head coach Jake Diebler has completed his coaching staff for the 2026-27 season, adding assistant coach Mike Wells, strength and conditioning coach Dave Richardson and program assistant William Buford. He has also promoted Jamall Walker to associate head coach.
Wells brings over 27 years of NBA experience to Columbus and most recently served as the head coach of the Adelaide 36ers of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). Richardson returns to Columbus after spending 15 years with the program from 2005-17. Buford, who is the fourth-leading scorer in program history, recently wrapped up a 12-year professional career. Walker in his third season at Ohio State and is about to begin his 25th season as a college basketball coach.
Mike Wells Brings a Wealth of Experience to Columbus
In addition to his extensive NBA experience, Mike Wells is fresh off leading Adalaide to the finals in both of his seasons and registered the club’s most regular season wins in 40 years during the 2025-26 season.
Wells got his start in the NBA with the Houston Rockets in 1994 as an assistant video coordinator. He was part of the staff when the Rockets won the NBA title in 1995. Wells was elevated to an assistant coach with the Rockets in 1999 and would go on to coach with the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz and Charlotte Hornets. He won a second NBA title with the Spurs in 2007.
Wells also has four seasons of collegiate coaching experience. Following graduation, he served one season as assistant coach at his alma mater, Mount Vernon Nazarene in 1993-94. He has also had assistant coaching stints at George Mason and USF from 2011-14.
From 1998-2003, Wells was the head scout for Team USA and also served an assistant coach with USA Basketball during its preparation for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. The Americans would go on to finish fourth in the event.
The Mount Vernon, Ohio native is a graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene where he played two seasons for Scott Flemming. He earned a degree in sports management from MVNU in 1993 and later earned a master’s degree in sports science from the United States Sports Academy.
Wells’s Coaching Career
2026-Pres. Ohio State Assistant Coach
2024-26 Adalaide 36ers Head Coach (2 seasons)
2023-24 Charlotte Hornets (2 seasons)
2022-23 USA Basketball Assistant Coach (1 season)
2014-22 Utah Jazz Assistant Coach (8 seasons)
2013-14 USF Assistant Coach (1 season)
2011-13 George Mason Assistant Coach (2 seasons)
2009-11 Washington Wizards Assistant Coach (2 seasons)
2005-09 San Antonio Spurs Assistant Coach (4 seasons)
2004-05 Los Angeles Lakers Assistant Coach (1 season)
1999-04 Houston Rockets Assistant Coach (5 seasons)
1994-99 Houston Rockets Video Coordinator (5 seasons)
1993-94 Mount Vernon Nazarene Assistant Coach (1 season)
Richardson Returns to Columbus Following Successful Run at Arkansas
Dave Richardson helped lead Ohio State through the best stretch of basketball in program history. He was with the Buckeyes from 2005 to 2018, working alongside head coach Thad Matta. During his first tenure, the Buckeyes made 11 postseason appearances, including five Sweet 16 berths, two Final Four’s, a national runner-up finish in 2007 and an NIT Championship in 2008. Richardson helped Evan Turner earn the 2010 National Player of the Year and Greg Oden rise to the top pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. A total of 21 of his players went on to play professionally with nine players being drafted by the NBA highlighted by Oden, Turner (2nd overall pick in 2010), D’Angelo Russell (2nd overall pick in 2015) and Mike Conley Jr. (4th overall pick in 2007).
Richardson spent the last eight seasons at Arkansas, working with the men’s basketball program with Eric Musselman and John Calipari. He helped the Razorbacks reach five Sweet 16s, including a pair of Elite 8 appearances in 2021 and 2022.
Prior to his first stint at Ohio State, Richardson spent four years at the University of Miami (FL), where he was the strength and conditioning coach for the Hurricane men’s basketball, women’s volleyball and tennis programs. The former U.S. Army sergeant also spent six years as Head of Strength and Conditioning at Northeast Louisiana University, and five years in the same role at Nicholls State University.
Richardson received his bachelor’s degree in health and human performance in 1989 and a master’s degree in exercise science in 1990 from Northeast Louisiana University.
Richardson’s Coaching Tenure
2026-Pres. Ohio State Head Strength and Conditioning Coach
2018-26 Arkansas Head Strength and Conditioning Coach
2005-18 Ohio State Head Strength and Conditioning Coach
2001-15 Miami (Fla.) Head Strength and Conditioning Coach
1995-01 Northeast Louisiana Head of Strength and Conditioning
1990-95 Nicholls State Head of Strength and Conditioning
Buford Joins Coaching Staff After Successful Playing Career
William Buford was one of the most decorated players in program history now begins his coaching career after a successful playing career.
The Toledo, Ohio native was a four-year letterwinner for the Buckeyes from 2009-12 and earned All-Big Ten honors three times. He finished his career as the No. 3 all-time leading scorer in program history, matching legend Jerry Lucas with 1,990 career points. Buford was part of three Big Ten Championship teams and was a member of the 2012 NCAA Final Four team.
Buford was one of the best scorers in program history as he is one of just four Buckeyes to score 500 or more points in a season three times, joining Jerry Lucas, Michael Redd and Bruce Thornton. He made 215 career 3-pointers, which is fourth-most in program history.
Following his collegiate career, Buford went on to play professionally for the better part of 12 seasons. He finished his degree in African American studies in May of 2025.
Jamall Walker Promoted to Associate Head Coach
Jamall Walker, the veteran collegiate coach has been promoted to associate head coach ahead of his third season on Jake Diebler’s staff.
In his first two seasons, Walker has helped guide the Buckeyes to 38 victories and a return to the NCAA Tournament last season. He has also been instrumental in the development of guards John Mobley Jr. and Bruce Thornton.
Walker is embarking on his 25th season on a collegiate coaching staff.
Walker’s Coaching Career
2024-Present Ohio State Assistant Coach
2020-24 Grand Canyon Assistant Coach (4 seasons)
2012-20 Illinois Assistant Coach (8 seasons)
2010-12 Ohio Assistant Coach (2 seasons)
2009-10 Arizona Director of Operations (1 season)
2008-09 Ohio Assistant Coach (1 season)
2007-08 Murray State Assistant Coach (1 season)
2006-07 St. Louis Assistant Coach (1 season)
2004-06 Ball State Assistant Coach (2 seasons)
2002-04 Redlands CC (Okla.) Assistant Coach (2 seasons)
2001-02 Schlagle HS (Kan.) Assistant Coach (1 season)
2000-01 Alston HS (Ill.) Assistant Coach (1 season)
