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January 14, 2014Todd Bowles withdraws name from Browns coaching search
January 14, 2014Well, well, Urban Meyer. It appears you did indeed have a few tricks up your sleeve following Thursday’s sudden departure of Mike Vrabel to the NFL.
Earlier today, we shared how revered Penn State defensive lines coach Larry Johnson Sr. is rumored to join the OSU staff in the same open position. Now, Sports Illustrated’s Pete Thamel has the latest scoop: Arkansas defensive coordinator Chris Ash will be taking the co-defensive coordinator role in Columbus. The team has not yet confirmed either move, but both are expected to be made official in the coming days.
Vrabel’s position under Meyer was as defensive lines coach and co-defensive coordinator with former interim head coach Luke Fickell. Just last week, it was reported that he left to join Bill O’Brien’s staff with the Houston Texans. Now, the Bucks have seemed to replace his duties with two star-studded Big Ten staples.
Ash, 39, moved to Fayetteville along with former Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema. He joined Bielema’s staff initially as defensive backs coach in 2010 and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2011. He previously spent 11 combined years at Iowa State and San Diego State as secondary coach, with added responsibilities as the recruiting coordinator. Wisconsin was always a tough defensive team under Bielema and Ash. In their first year with the Razorbacks, the team struggled to a 3-9 overall record and 0-8 SEC mark. This is just another huge move for Meyer, who continues to recruit well in players and coaches alike.
[Related: Rumble, Young Men, Rumble: Ohio State Season in Review]
Photo: Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports
13 Comments
Urban is such a scumbag. And one hell of a coach.
Here’s hoping the “co” in “co-defensive coordinator” now means “supreme, answering to nobody other than the Head Coach” and is not a title afforded to anyone else.
Well, he can answer to LJ Sr. on some items though.
They should “let” Fickell explore other opportunities if you ask me. They’ve more then made up for the bullet he took replacing Tressel.
Completely agree; however, there’s a problem. Based on Fickell’s performance as both interim HC and current DC, who’s going to be making offers to him? He’s in a tough spot (as is OSU).
I was just trying to look out for coach Fickell’s best interests!
Take that Bielema
Urban is unreal. I mean, a week ago the thought of hiring Larry Johnson Sr and Chris Ash would have seemed like a pipe dream at best. It’s hard to believe this actually happened. Two monster hires by Urban that immediately change the look of the defensive coaching staff. Wow.
The Cleveland Browns may show some interest in Luke Fickell because they like the way he “battles” as a coach and eventually shows “progress”. Besides, he handles himself “candidly”.
I don’t know anything about Chris Ash (other than Wiscy’s defense was good while he was DC), but that 3-9 record at Arkansas looks awful. And it’s not like they were losing all those games 6-4.
Bielema is such a fat punching bag…and a horrific coach.
The defense gave them a chance…Arkansas had no offense…and Bielema is extraordinarily fat…
so, the wait was really to make sure that Urban had his coaching staff in place so it wouldn’t upset recruits when Haslam hired Fickell away as HC? awfully nice of him.