Ohio State Football: Another Buckeye returning, and right man for the job
A cornerbacks coach returns to Ohio State and at the right time.
For the second time in just over a month Urban Meyer has brought in an assistant with Buckeye roots. Taver Johnson will take over as the new cornerbacks coach for Ohio State, filling the void left when Kerry Coombs decided to become an assistant for Mike Vrabel and the Tennessee Titans.
It would appear coach Johnson is the right man for the job as he held the same position at Ohio State from 2007-2011, and he has a few things in common with coach Coombs.
Both are from Hamilton county, Johnson from Cincinnati and Coombs from Colerain. They both coached in western Ohio, Johnson at Miami and Coombs at Cincinnati, so each knows the talent-laden recruiting area in that part of the state well.
Each are known for turning out NFL cornerbacks. Of course coach Coombs has become legendary for doing so, but coach Johnson has quite a track record as well.
In his first stint at Ohio State he coached five corners, at least for one season, who were chosen in the NFL draft. The most notable being Malcolm Jenkins who was a first round pick in 2009 and the 14th player taken overall. With Jenkins recently winning his second Super Bowl ring as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles that should benefit coach Johnson on the recruiting trail I would think.
More from Scarlet and Game
- Ohio State Football: How Denzel Burke has bounced back so far this season
- Ohio State basketball: Buckeyes conference schedule is set
- Ohio State Football rolling into form at the perfect time
- How Ohio State football has done historically versus new Big 12
- Ohio State Football: We need to see “Killer Ryan Day” at South Bend
Two players who were NFL draft picks were coached by both Johnson and Coombs, Bradley Roby and Doran Grant. I’ll give credit to each of the two coaches for developing those two outstanding players.
Also, in one of his coaching stops Johnson was the special teams coordinator for the Cleveland Browns in 2004 (Don’t hold that against him). He will obviously be an asset in that department since Coombs held that position for Ohio State as well. And you know the importance Urban Meyer puts on special teams.
It’s hard to say if coach Johnson will bring the energy to the Ohio State football program that Kerry Coombs did, but he should be excused if he can’t. Few people on the planet can. Coach Coombs is excited about life every day ending in a Y from the time he wakes up until he goes to sleep .
Next: Buckeyes in top 10 is the best story of the season
In any event, it looks as though Urban Meyer has a guy who is the right fit for the Ohio State football program and at the right time. I think the Buckeye head coach hit a home run by bringing Taver Johnson home.