Ohio State parts ways with safeties coach Perry Eliano

After only two seasons, Ohio State has parted ways with safeties coach Perry Eliano. Pat Forde was first to report.

Eliano joined the Buckeyes’ staff in January 2022. Before being hired by OSU, Eliano spent two seasons as Cincinnati’s cornerbacks coach. In 2021, Eliano boosted UC’s defense to finish No. 1 nationally in pass efficiency defense (103.36), No. 2 in passing yards allowed (169.2), No. 3 in interceptions (19) and No. 4 in opponent completion percentage. (53.9).

Eliano didn’t take a step back for the Buckeyes. In the 2023 campaign, Ohio State only allowed 145.9 passing yards per game, the least in the country. The Buckeyes also boasted the second-best pass efficiency defense in the FBS, only trailing Michigan.

Despite the team’s success in coverage, Eliano is out. Ohio State has failed to reach the College Football Playoff in the two seasons Eliano has been in Columbus; an issue not only affecting the 45-year-old assistant coach. The Buckeyes are desperate for change and Eliano is one of the first casualties.

After the Buckeyes’ stunning 14-3 loss to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day claimed no changes are off limits.

“Everything is going to get looked at,” Day said. “If it’s what helps Ohio State go reach our goals and win these games, then we’ll make those changes. So, got to really evaluate it the right way and make sure I’m doing it the right way and do what’s appropriate and best for the program.”

Perry Eliano falters on the recruiting trail

Where Perry Eliano struggled was on the recruiting trail, taking big swings for top prospects around the country and not connecting on any of those swings. Eliano and the Buckeyes were in good position for five-star safety Caleb Downs before he ultimately chose Alabama as part of the 2023 recruiting class. Downs led Alabama in tackles as a true freshman starter.

And then the 2024 class featured a similar result. Five-star safety KJ Bolden chose Florida State over the Buckeyes before he ultimately flipped to Georgia on national signing day, despite a family connection between Eliano and Bolden.

Eliano signed three safeties in the 2023 recruiting class, including breakout freshman Malik Hartford. He just signed two safeties in the 2024 recruiting class. Of the five safeties he signed, none were ranked inside the top 100 in the On3 Industry Rankings. Just one — Hartford — was ranked inside the top 250.