Jim Tressel has filled the vacant cornerbacks coach position with the hiring of Taver Johnson, most recently with the Oakland Raiders -- which could explain the unusual move of a guy going from an assistant coach in the NFL to a similar spot in the NCAA. The Vest said something after Beckman's departure about coaches finding OSU instead of it being the other way around the other way around, and I can only imagine the thought of having to work for the Tracksuit Godfather vs. returning home to coach for a winner was too much to pass up for Johnson.
The-Ozone has more:
Johnson's Ohio roots go deep. He is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduate of CAPE. He attended college at Wittenberg University where he was a two-time All-American linebacker and was named North Coast Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the year in 1992-93.
And this story of his.. err.. love of press boxes:
Johnson is a fiery individual with a real linebacker's mentality. In 2002 however, the fire got a little out of control. Johnson lost his cool in the press box at the Marshall vs. Miami football game and did some damage within the press box. Miami barred him from off-season recruiting and required him to pay for the press box damages. In that incident, Johnson threw a table into a wall after a Miami loss to Marshall.
I love it! In other staff-related news, Ohio State also hired former linebacker Fred Pagac Jr. to work with the defensive line.
Comments
I wish they hired somebody with more (any) conerback coaching experience. Maybe it’s not that hard? Also, wasn’t Pagac Jr. one of the OSU graduates that claimed he received improper benefits while attending OSU? I think this happened right around the time that Clarrett was running his mouth. I remember Pagac Jr. and Drew Carter both saying they were paid for no-show jobs. I only remember Pagac because I remember thinking it was sour grapes after his dad was fired.
I like the table thrower, but Pagac? I like former players as long as they were good former players. I don't remember him being any good. If he was running his mouth trying to get his name in the paper with Clarrett then I'm a little more confused. Has he been coaching somewhere?
Not exactly coaching, but selling insurance. That's relevant right?
This was in USA today about Pagac Jr., our new graduate assistanta:
Athletics director Andy Geiger told The Plain Dealer that the university will seek to interview the players who said that tutors wrote papers for them and fans arranged easy jobs: Carolina Panthers wide receiver Drew Carter, former OSU linebacker Fred Pagac Jr. and former Buckeyes fullback Jack Tucker.
In an ESPN.com interview, the three backed up some of former tailback Maurice Clarett's allegations that players received improper benefits. They said tutors completed papers and other homework for players, and Carter said he received high pay for light jobs.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports...
That's a great catch, Evan. I had completely forgotten about Pagac Jr. talking that trash, but it's all coming back to me now.
I know that The Vest served with Pagac's dad in the 80s and I have a hard time thinking that Tressel could hold a grudge or remain bitter towards someone, so that's probably why we're seeing that (and the fact that the allegations were against Cooper -- have to see how he feels about it now that he has a desk in the WHAC).
We'll probably look up in 10 years to see Marco Cooper running with the linebackers, Ken-Yon Rambo as receivers coach and Mo back working the running backs.
The question is...when is Eddie going to be our RB coach? We all know Big Tress gave little Dicky the job just to hold onto it until Eddie was ready to coach.