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With Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell being named the new head football coach at the University of Cincinnati, speculation has been running rampant that Ohio State cornerbacks coach and special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs would be joining him on the Bearcat staff.
However, on Saturday evening, Coombs released a statement that seemingly put those rumors to rest.
— Kerry Coombs (@OsuCoachCoombs) December 10, 2016
While the statement did not rule out a move for Coombs in the future, shortly thereafter, OSU head coach Urban Meyer followed Coombs’ statement up with a tweet of his own.
Great news! My rt-hand man, Kerry Coombs, is a Buckeye! In add to coordinating the SPT, he will have an expanded coordinating role on our D
— Urban Meyer (@OSUCoachMeyer) December 10, 2016
It remains unclear if the “expanded coordinating role” means that Coombs will succeed Fickell as Greg Shiano’s co-defensive coordinator, but the move ensures that Ohio State will continue to have one of its most vital weapons in the all-important recruiting wars.
Before joining Meyer’s staff, Coombs spent five seasons at UC, including three as the associate head coach under Brian Kelly.
As soon as Meyer’s statement came out other members of the Ohio State coaching staff began reacting online.
MOOD!!!! pic.twitter.com/cGmzW9YwL5
— Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) December 10, 2016