Ohio State hires Washington's Kevin McGuff

Ohio State announced Tuesday afternoon that Washington's Kevin McGuff has been named Ohio State's new head women?s basketball coach.

?We are excited with the opportunity for Kevin to lead our women?s basketball program,? Ohio State AD Gene Smith said. ?He is a proven leader and has done a marvelous job everywhere he has been. We welcome him back to his home, Ohio.?

[ OHIOSTATEBUCKEYES.COM: Kevin McGuff named women's basketball coach ]

McGuff replaces the recently fired Jim Foster, who was let go after an 18-13 season. Foster won 279 games and a record six straight Big Ten titles with the Buckeyes.

?I am extremely excited and humbled to be the next women?s basketball coach at Ohio State,? McGuff said. ?This is an amazing opportunity for my family and me to come back to the state of Ohio. I would like to thank Gene, Miechelle Willis and President Gee for putting their faith in me to be their next head coach. As someone who is from state of Ohio, I know how special of a place this is and my goal is to have Ohio State competing at the highest level of women?s college basketball.?

McGuff recently completed his 11th year as a head coach. The last two were at the University of Washington and the previous nine at Xavier University. He has compiled an overall record of 255-99 and has reached the postseason each year.