Ohio State announces elevated role, raise for key offensive assistant

Tony Alford, who’s been on Ohio State’s staff since 2015 as the assistant head coach for offense and running backs coach, has been promoted to the Buckeyes’ run game coordinator. The program announced the news Tuesday morning.

Congrats @CoachTonyAlford for being promoted to Run Game Coordinator‼️#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/GrYlKOysAF

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 18, 2022

Alford, 53, is an Akron, Ohio native who was a standout running back at Colorado State from 1987-1990. After playing in the NFL for the Denver Broncos, Alford jumped into the coaching field at the high school level in 1993 before taking his first collegiate job in 1995.

Prior to joining Ohio State’s program, Alford spent five seasons at Notre Dame in various roles, including running backs coach, wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator. He was the running backs coach at Louisville form 2007-2008 before going to South Bend.

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

As he departs Ohio State, Kerry 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.”