Who Will Be Next OSU Coach

Submitted by Zone Left on

Who's next in Columbus? Luke Fickell is supposedly the interim coach, but he doesn't have the pedigree yet to take over full time. Here are a couple of suggestions:

Al Groh?

Urban Meyer? 

EDSBS favorite Ron P?

I personally think Urban Meyer is done coaching, but I've been wrong many, many times before. I'd guess they'll make a run at Gary Patterson, but given the sanctions that may be coming, I think they'll go for a super recruiter who will take a tough job because the obvious candidates won't be interested.

SanFrancisco_W…

May 30th, 2011 at 9:55 AM ^

Just got off the phone with my friend who works for Ohio State and I guess Gordon Gee has sent out an email saying they will not be hiring anyone this season.  I think they believe they can lure Meyer out of retirement.

wlubd

May 30th, 2011 at 9:56 AM ^

Pelini, Patterson and Meyer are the names twitter seems to be talking about the most. I wouldn't necessarily count Fickell out either if he has a good year. He's been with Tressel since he arrived and would create the easiest transition for them. No HC experience though which is a problem.

Hardware Sushi

May 30th, 2011 at 10:12 AM ^

I'm not insinuating Fickell was involved with any of the funny business that got Tressel fired, but I can't imagine OSU would have the stones to keep pretty much anyone in Tressel's regime past this season at this point.

I think OSU will clean house for the NCAA. It's guilty by association and I think working for Tressel for that long will actually be a negative at the point in time next year when they hire.

Logan88

May 30th, 2011 at 10:25 AM ^

Pelini I could see as a real possiblity as he is from Ohio and played at OSU. This would probably depend on just how hard the NCAA comes down on OSU, though.

Patterson would seem unlikely because his current team will be joining (and dominating, in all likelihood) the Big East in 2012. He will have an easy road to 10+ win seasons and BCS bowl games.

Meyer is possible IF his talk about wanting to spend time with his family and his health issues is all just a bunch of B.S. He would be the scariest of the bunch.

You did not include his name, but I have seen D'antonio bandied about as well. He would seem unlikely as he is already 55 years old and has a bum ticker.

At the end of the day, I don't think OSU will get a really big name to be the next HC.

Fresh Meat

May 30th, 2011 at 9:56 AM ^

I really feel like Meyer is done for at least more time than one year.  He was talking about getting to go to his kids games and watch them grow up and all this stuff.  How do you look your kids in the eye and say one year was enough?  As a dad, that would be tough.  I know plenty of people will insert jokes about him not caring about his kids and yadda yadda yadda, but seriously, I think one year is not enough for what he wants to do.

King Douche Ornery

May 30th, 2011 at 1:30 PM ^

Few people are as perfect as Message Board Guy. You know, like those who operate in the real world, REALLY.

And the SEC is a much bigger grind, and a very unhealthy place for coaches and recruits (and sometimes, trees).

Meyer would be a good fit. he can look his kids in the eyes and say things like, "Well, I won't do a ton of the other stuff, and besides, we're talking FOUR MILLION per year. My heart's fine--it just wasn't right for Florida"

This anti Meyer stuff strikes me, as always, as more wishful thinking than anything by Michigan fans.

jmblue

May 30th, 2011 at 2:48 PM ^

The SEC may be a stronger conference than the Big Ten, but I don't agree that the daily grind of the job is much different than here.  Big Ten coaches work as many hours as anyone.  

kingrichardx

May 30th, 2011 at 9:57 AM ^

These last 3 months or so have been the biggest karma turnout around in history but would it be it be too much to ask the college football gods to have the demolition of OSU cause the demolition of Sparty as well?

 

 

WilliSC48

May 30th, 2011 at 11:17 AM ^

This is exactly my thinking. OSU has no idea what kind of sanctions the NCAA are going to come down on them with. I'm guessing that's why they're waiting on the coaching search. Still, will the investigation be done in a year? Would any coach want to go there if there are bowl bans, limited scholarships, etc?

almostkorean

May 30th, 2011 at 10:02 AM ^

I think it all depends on how hard the NCAA comes down on them. It will be harder to get a big name coach if they are looking at starting out with less scholarships, bowl bans, etc.

Blue Ninja

May 30th, 2011 at 10:02 AM ^

Good luck getting a top candidate with all the upcoming sanctions. I can't blame OSU for holding off since it would be difficult to lure anyone in without knowing what sanctions they will receive. That said my money is on them making a run for Meyer and Pelini and then once failing just giving the job to Fickell. At this point the job is his to lose.

Wolverine318

May 30th, 2011 at 10:03 AM ^

I don't think Urban Meyer will be coach. While would he want to walk into that dumpster fire. He also has Herbie and Smith talking into his ear at ESPN, letting him know the true amount of support he will get from the Columbus community. 

Dr.Jay

May 30th, 2011 at 10:04 AM ^

If I were a coach in a good stable program like Pelini, Stoops, Patterson or Petersen walking into a program that is about to be ass raped with sanctions would be idiotic. I just read Fickell will be interm for all of 2011 and they will probably throw all of their eggs into the Urban Meyer basket.

Hurricane

May 30th, 2011 at 10:05 AM ^

My inside sources are reporting that Mike DeBord will be resigning as TE's coach of the Chicago Bears to take over the head coaching position at osu.  His rumored staff will include Greg Robinson as defensive coordinator and Marv Marinovich as QB's coach.  More facts to come as the story develops...

m1jjb00

May 30th, 2011 at 10:07 AM ^

Slowdown guys and gals.  Let's see what tomorrow brings---and subsequent days.  That will affect whom they can get.  If it's just tattoos and coverups, then maybe OSU can get a big timer like Meyer or Stoops.  If it's bigger then OSU has to clean out the existing coaches and top names might not want to sign up for a hobbled team.

Stuck in Ohio 2

May 30th, 2011 at 10:11 AM ^

I see a Hoke-like hire at OSU. Not a top candidate (Meyer/JimHar.), miss out on the mid level guy (Dantonio, Pelini/Les Miles) but land a solid alumn with a decent track record at a smaller school(no idea who this would be).

Both Pelini and Dantonio have no reason to leave their programs. OSU could also possibly hire an assistant coach as head coach, depending on how this upcoming season plays out?

*I can't believe no one has responded with RR to the OP's question yet...edit nvm I did get beat in the process of typing this.

littlebrownjug

May 30th, 2011 at 10:09 AM ^

Kehres has done a great job at DIII power Mount Union, and he has deep Ohio ties. The other name that the Ohio State fans are bringing up is Chris Spielman.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

May 30th, 2011 at 10:11 AM ^

Al Groh....that made me chuckle.  I love Groh but let's just say he doesn't get along well with administration.  At least he wouldn't have to butt heads with admissions all the time.

willywill9

May 30th, 2011 at 10:11 AM ^

Can anyone explain why Urban Meyer makes sense... or where the rumors stem from?  He left coaching for a reason, didn't he?  Even still, would he want to take over a program that might face a year or so ban, plus probation?  I guess one positive would be that the fanbase would be more forgiving with a slow start.

Incognymous

May 30th, 2011 at 10:15 AM ^

We unfortunately learned when Coach Carr resigned, that an abbreviated and rushed coaching hire is a gamble.

Making Coach Fickell interim head coach for the year while they evaluate possible coaching hires as well as time to grasp the severity of NCAA sanctions was an intelligent move in the long run.

How it will affect recruiting this year will be interesting, and hopefully it ends with Dunn,
Washington and Stanford in Maize n' Blue.