TCU Coach Jim Christian Leaving For Ohio

On the eve of TCU's entrance into the Big 12, the school's basketball program received a devastating blow with head coach Jim Christian's decision to decamp to Ohio:

TCU coach Jim Christian will replace John Groce at Ohio University, sources told CBSSports -- cbssports.com/collegebasketb…

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanCBS) April 2, 2012

Christian has been only marginally successful in his four years in Fort Worth, but he's leaving after his first winning season and post-season appearance, albeit in the CBI.

He's returning to the MAC, where he had tremendous success at Kent State earlier in the decade, to coach a dangerous Ohio team that's returning their entire rotation after making the Sweet 16 in 2012. The Bobcats lost their head coach, John Groce, to Illinois earlier in March.

However, it's still a clear sign of how poorly regarded the TCU job is seen within the industry, as it's very rare for a coach in a Power Six conference to take the step down to a mid-major school.

Where the Horned Frogs go from here is unclear, but they'll need to make a good hire if they expect to compete in the Big 12 anytime soon.

For the latest news and notes on TCU athletics, head over to Frogs O' War.