Longtime Ohio State assistant coach and administrator Bob Tucker died March 5 in his home in Worthington, Ohio. He was 73 years old.
Tucker was from Sandusky, Ohio, and graduated from Wooster College in 1965. His coaching career began with high school teams before going to Iowa State, OSU, an 11-year run of head coaching at Wooster, Youngstown State, and then back to the Buckeyes to serve as an administrator for Jim Tressel until he retired in 2009.
The most storied team from Tucker's career was in 2002, as he was serving an administrative role when the Buckeyes won the national championship.
Tucker served 15 years on staff for Ohio State and was part of nine different Big Ten champion teams under both Earle Bruce (from 1979-84; championships in 1979, 1981 and 1984) and Jim Tressel (2001-2009; championships in 2002, 2005-09). Tucker also coached with Bruce at Iowa State from 1973-78.
The former coach's passing has been met with much heartache from various members of current and former Ohio State teams, including head coach Urban Meyer.
Thoughts and prayers with the family and loved ones of Coach Bob Tucker. https://t.co/6zggJ13RqX
— Urban Meyer (@OSUCoachMeyer) March 6, 2017
Damn man, sad to see this news today. Unbelievable person, it was an honor to have known him. Our prayers are with your family! https://t.co/npNHXCjSSY
— Corey Linsley (@Linsley71) March 6, 2017
I'm heartbroken to hear about the passing of Bob Tucker today. What a great man! It was an honor to know him and share time at OSU with him!
— James Laurinaitis (@JLaurinaitis55) March 6, 2017
Former Iowa State assistant coach Bob Tucker passed away yesterday at the age of 73. He was a member of Earle Bruce's staff (1973-78). pic.twitter.com/mIOxu34orR
— Cyclone Football (@CycloneFB) March 6, 2017
