DePaul University Athletics
Men's Basketball Head Coach Chris Holtmann Signs Extension Through 2031
9/29/2026 4:00:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Holtmann to remain at the helm of Blue Demons program through 2031
CHICAGO – DePaul Men's Basketball Head Coach Chris Holtmann has agreed to a contract extension through 2031, DePaul Senior Vice President and Director of Athletics DeWayne Peevy announced Tuesday (Sept. 29) afternoon.
"From my first conversations with DeWayne and President Rob, it was clear that there is a shared vision for what this program, department and University can become," said Holtmann. "We came here to work and to help build something we can all be proud of – together. These first two years have been filled with both challenges and really exciting moments as we fight to rebuild this program. We know continuing to move this forward won't be easy, but we embrace the challenges ahead. Our family has really enjoyed Chicago and we love our fans and the DePaul community, as well as the mission of DePaul. We look forward to continuing to build this together."
Since being named DePaul men's basketball head coach on March 14, 2024 – Holtmann has led one of the nation's top turnarounds – taking the Blue Demons to their best BIG EAST finish in program history in 2025-26. A two-time Naismith National Coach of the Year Award Finalist, three-time conference Coach of the Year and 2026 Skip Prosser Man of the Year, Holtmann has established himself and the Blue Demons program as one to watch in the BIG EAST.
"This extension reflects both what Chris has already accomplished and our confidence in where he is taking this program," said Peevy. "In two seasons, he has rebuilt the competitive foundation of DePaul men's basketball, restored belief in the program and elevated our visibility locally and nationally. Just as importantly, that progress has strengthened student engagement, energized our fan base and created meaningful momentum for the University.
"At this stage of our growth, continuity matters. Chris has demonstrated the leadership, vision and program-building ability required to position DePaul for sustained success in the BIG EAST. He expects excellence from his student-athletes and staff, on and off the court, and he is deeply invested in DePaul and Chicago. We are thrilled that Chris, Lori and Nora will remain part of the DePaul family for years to come."
After a stellar turnaround in year one, Holtmann and the Blue Demons took another step forward in 2025-26 as DePaul tallied its second-most BIG EAST wins in program history and the team's best finish in the league standings since joining the conference. For the second-straight year, Holtmann led a DePaul team to a top-10 program mark in made three-pointers while picking up a number of other program firsts, including a season sweep over Creighton for the first time in school history.
The program's turnaround has extended well beyond the standings. During Holtmann's tenure, DePaul has recorded the highest attendance growth in the BIG EAST, including a 118-percent increase in student attendance, while returning to national postseason competition and generating renewed interest in the program across Chicago and throughout the college basketball landscape. That momentum has expanded DePaul's presence through national broadcasts and earned media coverage, strengthened engagement among students, alumni and fans, and reinforced men's basketball's role as one of the University's most powerful platforms for advancing national visibility, institutional pride and philanthropy.
Holtmann has made his stamp on the Blue Demons program in a number of ways, including his on-court acumen and program-building mentality. Entering the 2025-26 season, the Blue Demons returned the most starters of any school in the BIG EAST and returned the second-most players, behind only reigning National Champion UConn. DePaul enters the 2026-27 season with the second-most returning letterwinners for another consecutive season, while also recruiting a nationally ranked transfer portal class.
His mark has also been made not only on the men's basketball and athletics program, but on the DePaul and Chicago community as a whole. The 2026 Skip Prosser Man of the Year has built strong connections throughout the community, including his famous student lunches after each home victory. Last season, Holtmann and his wife, Lori, also provided food for two buses of students who traveled to Milwaukee for a BIG EAST matchup against Marquette. Though largely private, Holtmann and his family have made numerous contributions throughout the Chicagoland, Columbus and Indianapolis communities.
In his first season at the helm of the Blue Demon program, Holtmann led an immediate turnaround that included an 11-win increase from the previous season and saw DePaul return to the postseason for the first time since 2018-19. DePaul recorded the greatest improvement in KenPom rankings nationally from the end of the 2023-24 to the 2024-25 seasons, while also setting a new program record with 314 made three-point field goals. Under Holtmann's guidance in 2024-25, the Blue Demons ended the regular season with back-to-back wins for the first time since 2006-07. His impact on the DePaul program has also been felt in the classroom with back-to-back Team Academic Excellence Awards by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). In Holtmann's first season, Isaiah Rivera became the fourth all-time DePaul men's basketball player to earn College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honors, and the first since Max Strus in 2019.
Before DePaul, Holtmann was a three-time conference coach of the year, including the BIG EAST (Butler) and Big Ten (Ohio State). Over the course of his career, Holtmann has coached his programs to eight postseason appearances with an exceptional stretch of nine straight 20-win seasons and eight straight NCAA appearances.
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TICKET INFORMATION
Join Blue Demon Nation for BIG EAST hoops at Wintrust Arena! Full season tickets for the 2026-27 season are on sale now, starting at just $275 per seat for men's basketball. Full season tickets include the same seat for every home game, plus special discounts for DePaul faculty, staff, retirees and recent graduates. Visit DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets to lock in your seats today.
