The Ohio State football program has gone through an interesting iteration of defensive coordinators over the last few years. Kerry Coombs was the DC for the Buckeyes for two years, but spent a total of nine years in Columbus. He loved the Ohio State Buckeyes more than anyone.
Coombs was an excellent recruiter with the Buckeyes, grabbing elite defensive backs when he was the secondary coach. Once he became a defensive coordinator, that job was clearly too big for him. The defense stunk, and Coombs was eventually relieved of his duties.
Coombs was then hired by Luke Fickell to coach under him at Cincinnati. Coombs spent three seasons with the Bearcats. This past season, Coombs has been out of coaching. Now, he has decided to take a job with the ultimate enemy of Ohio State.
Former Ohio State coach takes job with Michigan
After getting crushed by Ohio State, TTUN has decided to hire Kerry Coombs as its special teams coordinator. Coombs is an Ohio guy, but now he has decided to work for the enemy. It's a very strange turn for a coach who loved being a Buckeye more than most guys.
Just because Coombs was out of coaching for a year doesn't mean that he needed to take this job. He could have gotten a coaching job elsewhere, but he chose to work for Ohio State's biggest rival. He chose the Tony Alford route, and fans will not forget that when The Gamae rolls around next season.
Ohio State seems to have Michigan grasping at straws if they are hiring former Ohio State coaches who are clearly washed up. Coombs hasn't been an elite coach for quite a while, so this is a big reach by Sherrone Moore. His own fans want him fired, so it's clear he's not making the right moves.
The Buckeyes will have even more motivation to beat TTUN next season.