TOLEDO, Ohio - University of Toledo men's basketball coach Tod Kowalczyk announced the hiring of former Ohio University standout Walter Offutt today as an assistant coach for the Rockets' program.

"We are excited about the addition of Walter to our coaching staff," Kowalczyk said. "I have known Walter for some time and have followed his career closely. As a solid player in the Mid-American Conference, he knows what it takes to be successful in our league. Walter is a rising star and he will impact our program tremendously. He is a tireless and effective recruiter, a defensive-minded coach and someone who will bring a great deal of toughness to our program. The Rockets got better today!"
 
An Indianapolis native, Offutt has spent the past two seasons at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he helped the Mocs land a Top 100 recruiting class in 2018 according to 247sports.com. That class included 2018-19 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year Kevin Easley, who was an ESPN Four-Star recruit and tabbed as the No. 6 prep forward in Indiana and No. 35 forward in national recruiting rankings.
 
"I couldn't be more excited to join Coach Kowalczyk's staff and the Toledo community," Offutt said. "I spent my playing career in the MAC and have a great deal of respect for the University of Toledo men's basketball program. I can't wait to get started and continue to build on the success they've already had."
 
Offutt's previous basketball positions included serving as the director of basketball operations at Ball State University during the 2016-17 campaign and as a graduate manager at the University of Illinois for two years (2014-16).

During his collegiate career, Offutt helped lead Ohio on a magical run in the 2011-12 season. The Bobcats won a school-record 29 games that year en route to a NCAA Tournament 'Sweet 16' appearance, defeating Michigan and South Florida before falling in overtime to North Carolina. He scored 26 points in the loss to the Tar Heels to earn All-Midwest Regional Team honors. As a senior, the Bobcats shared the MAC regular-season title and played in the NIT.
 
Offutt, who played his first two seasons of college ball at Ohio State, averaged 11.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg and 1.4 spg in 71 games at Ohio to help the Bobcats to a 53-18 (.747) record. He was a third-team All-MAC and Academic All-MAC selection as a senior. Offutt played three seasons at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, totaling more than 800 points and nearly 300 rebounds before missing his senior year to injury. The 2008 graduate was named All-Marion County and all-conference three times.

Offutt completed two degrees at Ohio. He earned a bachelor's degree in business and human relations in 2012 and a master's degree in coaching education in 2013. Offutt added a second master's degree in educational policy studies from Illinois in 2016.