The Ties That Bind: Looking At Possible Urban Meyer Assistants

Below are some quick thumbnail sketches on possible Urban Meyer assistants, and how these men have worked with Urban Meyer in the past.

Greg Studrawa: Currently the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at LSU, Studrawa is rumored as an offensive coordinator candidate at Ohio State. A native of Fostoria, Ohio, Studrawa is a former player and alumnus of Bowling Green. Like Urban Meyer, Studrawa is a former Ohio State graduate assistant (1997 season), so he would have familiarity with Ohio State's rich history and traditions. Studrawa formerly worked for Urban Meyer at Bowling Green as the offensive line coach and offensive coordinator, before moving to his position at LSU.

DJ Durkin: Currently the linebackers and special teams coach at Florida, Durkin is rumored as a possible defensive coordinator candidate. Like Greg Studrawa, Durkin is a former Bowling Green player and alumnus. Durkin began his coaching career at Bowling Green under Urban Meyer as a graduate assistant.

Mickey Mariotti: Currently the strength and conditioning coach at Florida, Mariotti is rumored to be under consideration for Ohio State's Director of Football Operations. Mariotti first worked with Urban Meyer when both were assistants at Notre Dame under Bob Davie. If Mariotti is hired, would this bring an end to the successful reign of Eric Lichter in Columbus?

Chuck Heater: Currently the defensive coordinator at Temple, Heater could also be considered as a defensive coordinator candidate. Heater formerly worked for Urban Meyer at Florida as the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach. Heater is a former Ohio State assistant, coaching the secondary under Earle Bruce (1985-1987).

Scot Loeffler: Currently the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Temple, Loeffler could also be under consideration for an offensive coordinator position at Ohio State. Loeffler formerly served under Urban Meyer as the quarterbacks coach at Florida, working with Tim Tebow. Loeffler is also a former Michigan player and alumnus, having worked with several notable Michigan quarterbacks in his career, including Tom Brady.

Stan Drayton: Drayton currently is on staff with Ohio State, and is rumored to be under consideration to remain on Urban Meyer's staff. Drayton is working as the wide receivers coach, but could move back to his traditional running backs coach position. Drayton formerly served as the running backs coach under Urban Meyer at Florida.

Luke Fickell: The most enigmatic of the assistant coaching candidates, Fickell is currently serving as Ohio State's head coach. Thrust into the position with the forced resignation of Jim Tressel, Fickell has performed admirably as Ohio State's head coach, dealing with multiple player suspensions, as well as a staff he was forced to retain. Fickell has been a long-time Ohio State assistant, and is a former player under John Cooper. Meyer and Fickell have arrived at an agreement that would have Fickell remain as an Assistant Head Coach and Co-Defensive Coordinator. It seems that Fickell has turned down Akron's head coaching overtures. Unlike all of the other possible assistant coaches on this list, Fickell has no previous coaching history with Urban Meyer.

However, if Butch Jones leaves Cincinnati for Illinois or UCLA, as has been rumored, then Fickell could receive a call from the Bearcats. Turning down Akron was one thing, but could Fickell turn down a head coaching job in a BCS conference?

As written above, all of these assistants are rumored to be under consideration as possible Ohio State assistants. Odds are that some of these men may be with him as assistant coaches for the 2012 Ohio State Buckeyes.

Still, many names remain possibilities. Mike Stoops, former Arizona head coach, was contacted by the Arizona Central and questioned about his interest in the job. Stoops said he had not been contacted, but would be interested in becoming Ohio State's defensive coordinator.

Tim Hinton, current running backs coach at Notre Dame, is another strong possibility. Hinton and Meyer are close friends, and Meyer even tried hiring him at Utah in 2004.

Two other offensive coordinator names are also probable to be under discussion. Clemson's Chad Morris, and Illinois' Paul Petrino, are both offensive coordinators well-versed in the spread offense attack that Urban Meyer plans to run. Chris Spielman, Urban Meyer's ESPN broadcast partner and friend, often remarked how he would hire either of these men, or would strongly recommend hiring them to Luke Fickell if Fickell remained head coach. Considering their friendship, it is likely Spielman relayed that same advice to Urban Meyer. Could Urban Meyer possibly target one of them for the offensive coordinator position?

This post originally appeared on Along The Olentangy, 11/28/2011

THE GAME: The Best Rivalry In Sports

I highly recommend this video below. It is respectful of both programs' traditions and history, and shows the intensity and passion of THE GAME very well.

The countdown clock is going to be reset for 2012 on the blog shortly too...

THE GAME 2011: Will Michigan Break Ohio State's Winning Streak?

Game Twelve: Michigan Wolverines


Location: Michigan Stadium (Ann Arbor, MI) 12pm EST, ABC


Head Coach: Brady Hoke


Michigan Players Who Were Recruited By Ohio State: TE Kevin Koger, OT Patrick Omameh, P Will Hagerup, DT William Campbell. RB Fitzgerald Toussaint, OL Elliott Mealer, TE Brandon Moore, QB Devin Gardner, CB Courtney Avery, DL Jibreel Black, S Ray Vinopal, and WR Jerald Robinson were all on Ohio State's recruiting radar but were not offered scholarships by Ohio State.

When Michigan Is On Offense VS Ohio State's Defense ~ Look for Ohio State to sell out against the run. QB Denard Robinson is still a dangerous threat to score anytime in the open field, and is running less this season than under the Rich Rodriguez regime. Robinson is a teriffic athlete, but struggles as a passer. If Ohio State can force Michigan into passing situations, Ohio State can be in this game. If Ohio State allows RB Fitzgerald Toussaint and Robinson to begin running well, this could turn into a blowout.

Ohio State will need to be on guard against play action passes, especially if the safeties are moved up to help with run support. The usually dependable and reliable Ohio State defense has played poorly down the stretch, especially at the linebacker position. True freshman LB Ryan Shazier could be used to spy on Robinson, tracking him all over the field, as Shazier has the speed to keep up with Robinson.

Edge: Even. Michigan has improved to a more diversified offense, but again, Robinson is not going to ever truly scare anyone as a passer, and I expect Ohio State to do everything to keep him in the pocket.

When Ohio State Is On Offense VS Michigan’s Defense ~ Under new defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, Michigan has improved tremendously on this side of the ball. DT Mike Martin is Michigan's best defensive player, and will be involved in trying to shut down Ohio State's running game. Like Ohio State, look for Michigan to sell out against the run versus the Buckeyes.

Ohio State's offense relies exclusively on its running game. With true freshman QB Braxton Miller, Ohio State has a mobile quarterback who can make plays with his feet, like Michigan's Robinson. RB Daniel "Boom" Herron has become the linchpin of the offense since his return from suspension. WR DeVier Posey finally came off suspension last week versus Penn State, but it remains to be seen if Ohio State's coaching staff can devise any way of getting Posey the ball. Ohio State ranks 118th in passing out of 120 Division 1 teams.

If TE Jake Stoneburner can be incorporated into the offense against Michigan, Ohio State may have a chance to move the ball. Stoneburner is a match-up problem for defenses, but Ohio State's coaches have not used him well this season; it is doubtful that the coaches will use him any more against Michigan.

Edge: Michigan. Ohio State's predictable and incoherent offense does not inspire too much fear in any opposing defense, let alone a team that has improved as much as Michigan this season.

Intangibles: Michigan has lost every game against Ohio State, dating to 2004. The seniors on the team have never beaten Ohio State, and will make every effort to do so in this contest. Brady Hoke has placed an emphasis on beating "Ohio", making sure the Wolverines focus on defeating their hated rival. Contrast with Ohio State, facing rumors of the hiring of Urban Meyer this week, as well as Ohio State's overall decline over the last month, and it seems as though the odds favor the Wolverines in this area.

Edge: Michigan.

Prediction: My heart is telling me to pick Ohio State, as I believe Luke Fickell wants to end the regular season with a victory over Michigan, in a manner reminiscent of Earle Bruce's finale in 1987. My head is telling me that Ohio State's defensive inconsistencies, as well as predictable offense, plus Michigan's possible BCS bowl opportunities, too much to overlook. I am going with Michigan 21, Ohio State 17.

Savoring The Streak Over "That Team Up North": A Look Back At 2004

The final look back at the streak of wins over "That Team Up North" will focus on the 2004 contest. Michigan came into Columbus having clinched The Big Ten and a Rose Bowl shot, while Ohio State was trying to conclude what had been a very mediocre season up until that point.

QB Troy Smith emerged as a true playmaker for Ohio State, confounding Michigan with timely runs (145 yards rushing) and touchdown passes to WRs Anthony Gonzalez and Santonio Holmes. Ted Ginn, Jr. had a punt return for a touchdown, and Ohio State rolled to an easy 37-21 victory.

Some of my memories, as I was at THE GAME for this one? The lovely Mrs. Minnich accompanied me to this contest, and enjoyed herself immensely at the pre-game tailgating. So much so that she contemplated napping on my shoulder during THE GAME.

Below is a video clip of highlights, courtesy of YouTube...



Below is a recap of the game, courtesy of ESPN.com...

http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=243250194

Savoring The Streak Over "That Team Up North": A Look Back At 2005

Happy Thanksgiving! Best wishes to you and your families for a safe and blessed holiday. Today's post remembers the 2005 Ohio State/Michigan game that Ohio State won, 25-21.

Needing a victory over their hated rival to remain in contention for a BCS bowl bid (which eventually turned out to be The Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame), Ohio State traveled to Ann Arbor for an opportunity to earn a share of The Big Ten title with Penn State. Almost immediately, Ohio State was at a disadvantage defensively, as senior LB Bobby Carpenter sustained a broken ankle, forcing inexperienced LB James Laurinaitis into the contest as his replacement.

QB Troy Smith had a tremendous game against Michigan in 2004, but the 2005 game against Michigan was where Smith emerged as one of the players to watch in 2006 as a possible Heisman Trophy candidate. The 2005 game was going to be forever defined by "The Catch", the big play between Troy Smith and WR Anthony Gonzalez, with under a minute remaining...




Below is a recap of this contest, thanks to ESPN.com...

http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=253230130

Savoring The Streak Over "That Team Up North": A Look Back At 2006

The 2006 battle between Ohio State and Michigan was the first time ever between these two storied programs where they were ranked # 1 and #2. At stake was not only The Big Ten conference championship, but also a berth to the 2007 BCS Championship Game. Ohio State built a commanding first half lead, and held on for a close victory, 42-39. In this game, Ohio State QB Troy Smith played brilliantly to ensure he would win the 2006 Heisman Trophy.

Overshadowing the game only one day before was the unexpected death of former Michigan head coach Bo Schembechler. Schembechler's loss would loom large not only on this game, but in the subsequent years following, as turmoil seemed to engulf Michigan's athletic department following his death. One could surmise that Lloyd Carr's retirement, as well as selection of successor, may have been entirely different had Bo Schembechler been there to make sure a "Michigan Man" was going to be in charge of the program Schembechler so carefully built.

The game truly came down to the final moments. Out of many big plays, fewer were as big as this one by Buckeye RB Antonio Pittman:




For a recap of one of the greatest games in the history of this rivalry, please click on the link below, courtesy of ESPN.com:

http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=263220194

Savoring The Streak Over "That Team Up North": A Look Back At 2007

Following a shocking home loss to Illinois that knocked Ohio State from the ranks of the unbeaten, the Buckeyes traveled to Ann Arbor to face the Wolverines. Rumors were swirling that this was going to be Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr's last game.

Behind a strong running game, led by sophomore RB Chris Wells, Ohio State was able to clinch the outright Big Ten title. Michigan actually came into this game with a shot at the title, despite losing its first two non-conference games. One of these losses may be considered the greatest upset in college football history.

Below is a link to the review of this game, thanks to ESPN.com...

http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=273210130