Thursday Skull Session

By Chris Lauderback on January 16, 2014 at 6:00 am
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It's practically old, yet still exciting news that Larry Johnson Sr. has joined Urban Meyer's coaching staff. That said, there are still many Buckeye fans just learning about the man that seemingly came out of nowhere, leaving Penn State's staff after 18 years in State College. 

Yesterday, Johnson was officially announced by Ohio State as Urban Meyer's new defensive line coach, and in somewhat as a surprise though it's probably more of a ceremonious title than anything, assistant head coach.

Kyle broke it down yesterday and a few things stood out beyond the known news of his ability to recruit, his passion for developing kids both on the field and off, and an old school mentality when it comes to loyalty.   

Of note, under his tutelage, five D-liners were named B1G Defensive Player of the Year, six went in the 1st round of the NFL Draft and seven earned 1st team All-American status. 

How he helps his players reach such heights goes hand in hand with Meyer's mantra:

“I’m a relationship guy and I think in order to get the best out of your players you have to develop relationships. I’m also a teacher. I like to teach the basic fundamentals of football. I want guys who are fundamentally sound and have the ability to play fast and to play relentless.”

Finally, I was struck by the classy nature in which he said goodbye to Penn State while addressing a passing of the torch to James Franklin:

“Getting promoted isn’t the issue to me. At the end of the day, it’s giving Coach Franklin the chance to move forward. It’s his program, his coaching staff and, yes, he offered me the opportunity to stay. But at the end of the day, I thought what would be best for me – and be unselfish – is the fact that let’s move forward. That’s my decision. It had nothing do with a job, or not giving me a promotion.”

That's how you handle things right there, folks. I hope Penn State is smart enough to find a way to pay tribute to the man when the Buckeyes take on the Nittany Lions next October 25th. Anything less would be a shame. Bonus: Johnson can hit the recruiting trail starting today while Urban and company will be out doing the same

In lesser coaching news, it was reported late last night former Colorado signal caller Cody Hawkins is joining Ohio State's staff as a graduate assistant, working mostly with the quarterbacks and wide receivers. In honor of the news, it seems like a good idea to pay tribute to his pops, aka Mr. Go Play Intramurals, Brother

Aaron had a shocking 10 combined turnovers in losses to Sparty and IowaCraft needs to shake his two-game slump tonight

READY FOR A BARN-BURNER? The basketball Buckeyes look to shake the stink of a two-game losing streak tonight at 9 p.m. (ESPN2) in The Barn against a Minnesota squad boasting a 13-4 record and coming off an overtime loss to Sparty last Saturday. The tilt against Michigan State kicked off a brutal four-game stretch for the Gophers continuing with Ohio State tonight followed by a trip to Iowa and a return home to take on Wisconsin. 

It sounds strange to say in mid-January but this is likely a must-win if the Buckeyes wish to stay in the regular season title race. Interestingly, this is the third straight year in which a Thad Matta team is at a crossroads of sorts. Two years ago, the Buckeyes looked dead in the water during a February stretch that saw them lose three of five in ugly fashion and all they did was respond by winning eight of nine games before blowing a 13-point lead in a Final Four loss to Kansas.

Last year, they lost three of four in an early February stretch including a 71-49 drubbing at the hands of Wisconsin only to respond with 11 straight wins before falling to Wichita State in the Elite Eight. 

Tonight, Matta will be hoping for more of that bounce-back magic and his positive outlook following back to back losses isn't lost on his team. Cue Sam Thompson:

"The last two years we did a good job of getting back to doing what we do. We weren't really ourselves this past week on the court. So we want to make a point to play our game in Minnesota -- to make sure we're mentally ready to come out and play 40 minutes of Ohio State basketball. We definitely don't think it's the end of the world. We don't like losing. But there's always a chance for improving."

Winning on the road is always a chore in league play but if Ohio State can get back on track tonight, the have a real shot at going on a four-game winning streak (@Neb, Ill, PSU) which would improve the Buckeyes to 6-2 ahead of a pair of roadies at Wisconsin and Iowa. 

Starting a winning streak will depend largely on the Buckeyes getting their turnovers under control (38 in last 2 games) while enjoying returns to form from both Lenzelle Smith Jr. and Aaron Craft. Lenzelle was brutal from the floor in the back-to-back losses missing 12 of 18 shots while Craft turned it over a total of 10 times while shooting 5/13 with nine personal fouls. 

GREAT ODEN'S RAVEN. The human-tripod, Greg Oden, made a surprise return to the court for the Miami Heat last night appearing in his first regular season NBA game in 1,503 days, dating back to December 5th, 2009. 

Oden saw just over eight minutes of action and totaled six points and two boards as the Heat got blown out by the middling Washington Wizards. In fitting fashion, his first deuce came via a monster dunk:

Both Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley praised Oden for the work he's put in though Spoelstra would only say the big man would continue to be evaluated on a day-to-day basis. Clearly, the Heat brass have no intention of pushing Oden, hoping patience now could potentially result in him being a key piece of late season run toward another ring. 

Oden handled the post-game fuss with his usual grace:

"It felt good, just being able to be back out on the court. Honestly, the big thing is, to be able to have now that connection now with my teammates. I've been here, I've been around, but when you're not playing, sometimes deep down you don't really feel part of the team as much. I'm happy I can do that... But you know, I wish we could have won. That's the most important thing."

What say you, LeBron haters... Would you be okay with LBJ picking up another ring if Oden was a serviceable part down the stretch?

QUICK CLICKS. So, Brazil apparently has a mascot for testicular cancer... You had one job!... Teen 'Twerking' During Gas Station Mob Scene Speaks Out... Phish set to return to Jazzfest... Cuz this is Thriller!... History of Wal-Mart... Johnny Manziel’s Proposed Edits to His Goodbye Letter to Texas A&M... I don't even... Hopefully bootleg "StrongHorns" gear won't bankrupt Texas... Little League coach is suing his own player for over $500k... Photo Evidence Of Jim Harbaugh Buying Walmart Khakis... One of my favorite Mattingly moments, just because.  

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