What Happened to DePaul Blue Demons Men's Basketball?
After years of struggles, the DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball program has shown signs of resurgence under Head Coach Chris Holtmann, who was hired in March 2024. The team achieved its best Big East finish in program history in the 2025-26 season and has secured its coaching staff with extensions through 2028, signaling a commitment to sustained improvement. The program is actively building its roster through recruiting and transfers for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
Quick Answer
The DePaul Blue Demons Men's Basketball program is currently in a rebuilding phase under Head Coach Chris Holtmann, who took over in March 2024. After a challenging 2024-25 season, the team made significant strides in 2025-26, achieving a 16-16 overall record and an 8-12 Big East record, marking their best conference finish in history. As of August 2026, Holtmann and his staff have received contract extensions, and the team is actively preparing for the 2026-27 season with a mix of returning talent and new recruits and transfers, aiming for continued growth and competitiveness in the Big East.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Last NCAA Tournament Victory
The DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball program recorded its last NCAA Tournament victory in 2004.
End of Tony Stubblefield Era
Tony Stubblefield was fired as head coach after a 3-29 season and a winless Big East campaign, marking a low point for the program.
Chris Holtmann Hired as Head Coach
Chris Holtmann, formerly of Ohio State and Butler, was appointed as the new head coach, signaling a major rebuilding effort for the program.
Significant KenPom Improvement in Holtmann's First Season
In Chris Holtmann's first season (2024-25), DePaul achieved the largest KenPom improvement in the nation, despite a 14-20 overall and 4-16 Big East record.
Holtmann Reflects on Rebuilding Challenges
Coach Holtmann discussed the ongoing challenges of rebuilding the DePaul program, emphasizing the potential shown by the team's improved performance at the end of the 2024-25 season.
CJ Gunn Earns Preseason All-BIG EAST Honors
Guard CJ Gunn was named Preseason All-BIG EAST, becoming the first Blue Demon to receive this recognition since 2020, highlighting growing individual talent.
DePaul Matches Conference Win Total Milestone
The Blue Demons matched their conference win total from the previous year, winning seven Big East games, signifying continued progress under Holtmann.
Big East Tournament First Round Exit
DePaul, as the 6th seed, fell to the 11th seed Georgetown Hoyas 63-56 in the first round of the Big East Tournament.
2025-26 Season Concludes with Best Big East Finish
DePaul concluded the 2025-26 season with a 16-16 overall record and an 8-12 Big East record, finishing 6th in the conference, their best Big East finish in program history.
Holtmann Discusses Year 3 Blueprint
Coach Chris Holtmann and Athletic Director DeWayne Peevy discussed the blueprint for Year 3 of Holtmann's tenure, focusing on taking the next step for the program.
Coaching Staff Contract Extensions Announced
Head Coach Chris Holtmann announced that his entire assistant coaching staff, including Jack Owens, Bryan Mullins, Paris Parham, LaVall Jordan, and Brandon Bailey, signed contract extensions through 2028.
2026-27 Roster Updates and Outlook
DePaul provided an update on its 2026-27 roster, highlighting returning players like Layden Blocker and Kruz McClure, and introducing nine newcomers, including six transfers and three freshmen.
Latest Transfer Portal Updates
The DePaul Blue Demons' 2026 College Basketball Transfer Portal prospects were last updated, showing committed players like Magoon Gwath and Ade Popoola.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball program has historically been a significant name in college basketball, boasting two Final Four appearances in 1943 and 1979, and an NIT championship in 1945. However, the program experienced a prolonged period of decline, particularly in the 21st century, struggling to find consistent success in the highly competitive Big East Conference. This culminated in a dismal 2023-24 season where the team finished with a 3-29 overall record and went winless in Big East play, marking one of the lowest points in school history.
A pivotal turning point arrived in March 2024 with the hiring of Chris Holtmann as head coach. Holtmann, previously at Ohio State and Butler, was tasked with a significant rebuilding effort. His first season, 2024-25, saw the team finish 14-20 overall and 4-16 in the Big East, but it also marked the largest KenPom improvement in the nation, indicating a foundational shift. This initial season focused on establishing a new culture and roster, with Holtmann acknowledging the difficulty of the task but emphasizing the potential he saw in the program.
The 2025-26 season demonstrated further progress under Holtmann's leadership. The Blue Demons achieved a 16-16 overall record and an 8-12 record in Big East play, securing their best finish in Big East history by placing 6th in the conference standings. Despite a first-round exit in the Big East Tournament against Georgetown, the season was widely seen as a significant step forward, changing the narrative around DePaul basketball. Key players like CJ Gunn earned Preseason All-BIG EAST accolades, highlighting individual talent emerging within the team.
As of August 2026, the DePaul program is focused on building on this momentum. In July 2026, Coach Holtmann and his entire assistant coaching staff, including Jack Owens, Bryan Mullins, Paris Parham, LaVall Jordan, and Brandon Bailey, signed contract extensions through 2028. This move signals stability and a long-term commitment to the current coaching regime. The team is actively shaping its roster for the 2026-27 season, with returning veterans like Layden Blocker and Kruz McClure, alongside a new class of nine newcomers, comprising six transfers and three freshmen, including Noah Smith, Andrew Jensen, and Mason Lockett. The program continues to navigate the challenges of college basketball's evolving landscape, particularly roster management through the transfer portal, but remains optimistic about its trajectory under Holtmann's guidance.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if DePaul Blue Demons Men's Basketball made different choices?