New Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff says the goal is to play with the nation's best teams

Ohio State's new head coach Kevin McGuff answers questions during an NCAA women's college basketball news conference Wednesday, April 17, 2013, in Columbus, Ohio. Three weeks after signing a long-term contract extension at Washington, McGuff came home to become the new women's basketball coach at Ohio State. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete) (The Associated Press)

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Kevin McGuff stepped onto center court of Ohio State's arena and called it an amazing day.

The 43-year-old McGuff made his first official appearance as the new coach of the Buckeyes on Wednesday. After spending nine years as the head coach at Xavier and the past two at Washington, he said it was good to be back home and to take over a job that he had always wanted.

Ohio State is paying McGuff $850,000 a year, not counting performance and academic bonuses, along with $500,000 in retention payments if he remains on the job through the 2020-21 season.

McGuff, a father of six including a newborn, is on the hook for a $1.75 million buyout at Washington, where he signed a contract extension just three weeks ago.