Former Ohio State veteran assistant lands new job

Former Ohio State defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs has found a new job. According to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Coombs has been hired by Luke Fickell and Cincinnati to be the Bearcats’ new cornerbacks coach and special teams coordinator.

Coombs, 60, spent seven seasons on the staff at Ohio State, including the past two as the Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator. Prior to going to Columbus, Coombs served as the Tennessee Titans’ secondary coach from 2018-19.

Coombs also spent the 2012-2017 seasons at Ohio State in various roles – including cornerbacks coach, special teams coordinator and assistant defensive coordinator.

Coombs rejoins Cincinnati’s program after being on the Bearcats’ staff from 2007-11 as the associate head coach, defensive backs coach and a special teams coach. He also spent more than two decades coaching high school football in the state.

LOOK: Ohio State assistant Kerry Coombs pens farewell letter to Buckeyes

News broke earlier in the week that Ohio State defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs will not be returning to the Buckeyes next season. Lettermen Row’s Austin Ward confirmed the news on Thursday.

As he departs Ohio State, Coombs shared a farewell message with the Buckeyes on Saturday afternoon.

“As I prepare for the next mission in my life, I want to thank Buckeye Nation for allowing my family and me to share in some truly incredible experiences,” Coombs said. “I remain most grateful for the family of extraordinary young men I have been privileged to serve, as well as the men I have worked alongside.

“I will look back at the Shoe, the fans, the championships, and mostly the players with great fondness, while also looking forward with great anticipation to what God has in store for me.”

#ilovethemenihavebeenabletocoach! #thelonghashtagswillbearoundforever! #justakidfromohiolivingadream #BIA pic.twitter.com/A34RRVOU4S

— Kerry Coombs (@DB_CoachCoombs) January 15, 2022

Coombs was in his second stint with Ohio State. He previously worked for the Buckeyes from 2012-2017, and he led the defense in 2017. In 2018, Coombs went to the NFL as the defensive backs coach with the Tennessee Titans. But in 2020, he returned to the Buckeyes as defensive coordinator.

According to Ward and Letterman Row, Ohio State was open to Coombs returning if he was willing to move to a role as a position coach. He was not, and will instead head elsewhere next season. Earlier in the season, Coombs was stripped of his defensive playcalling duties.

On3’s Jonathan Wagner contributed to this report.