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Kerry Coombs on his return to Ohio State: ‘I missed it’
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Kerry Coombs has always been a fan favorite in Columbus. His high energy level and ability to develop talent has always been revered by Ohio State fans.
The feeling is mutual.
Coombs left the Buckeye program following the 2017 season after serving on Urban Meyer’s staff for six years. A job with Mike Vrabel and the Tennessee Titans was too difficult for the longtime cornerbacks coach to pass up.
After two seasons in the NFL, and a few departures from Ryan Day’s staff, Coombs got the call to return to Ohio State, this time as the defensive backs coach and adding defensive coordinator to his title. The overly enthusiastic 58-year-old assistant coach was thrilled to be returning to Columbus.
“I love Ohio State. I don’t want to understate this,” Coombs said, according to Doug Lesmerises of Cleveland.com. “I missed it. …I get goosebumps talking about this.”
Coombs take over for Jeff Hafley, who spent one season as the defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator with the Buckeyes. After a tremendous turnaround defensively from 2018 to 2019, Hafley landed a head coaching gig at Boston College.
That prompted Day to give Coombs a call, now with some NFL experience under his belt. He also understands what it takes to win a championship at the highest level, having been on Meyer’s staff in 2014 when the Buckeyes won the inaugural College Football Playoff national title.
Coombs will jump immediately into the fire, as Ohio State starts winter workouts before getting into spring practice.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB