Fired up.
That’s a pretty good synopsis of Ohio State’s new defensive coordinator, Kerry Coombs. It also describes the reaction to Coombs’ return to Columbus.
Coombs was an absolutely beloved part of the OSU coaching staff from 2012-2017. A tireless recruiter and outstanding position coach, he was as popular with players as he was with staff and others around the program.
His return has seemingly been all but a done deal for several weeks, but the official news on Monday was greeted with an explosion of excitement on social media.
From current NFL stars who played under Coombs during his first tenure in Columbus, to a handful of current players and staff who were here when Coombs was still on staff, to newer players who don’t know him that well yet, the reaction was universally positive and… yes… fired up.
If you’re not familiar with Coombs or his uniquely relentless energy, the photo above should give you a decent set of Cliff Notes. It pictures Shelley Meyer, then the First Lady of OSU football, reacting with a mixture of shock and horror at Coombs’ bloody forehead in the aftermath of the Buckeyes’ 31-20 win at Michigan in 2017.
Coombs had channeled his energy into head-butting someone’s helmet, leaving a big, bloody mark.
Passion ➕ proven success.
Welcome home, @DB_CoachCoombs ‼️☕️#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/4ul6AO4L5H
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 20, 2020
Couldn’t be more excited to have @DB_CoachCoombs back in Columbus! https://t.co/jlWAqT8xbP
— Ryan Day (@ryandaytime) January 20, 2020
BOOOOM!!!! Can’t wait for Spring Ball 1on1’s. Welcome back home @DB_CoachCoombs #Buckeyes https://t.co/ErT9vrp5Xi
— Brian Hartline (@brianhartline) January 20, 2020
SOMEONE GET THE COFFEE MACHINE READY 5 MINUTES AGO https://t.co/dvPYia2VTc
— Quinn Tempel (@quinntempel) January 20, 2020
BIA is here to stay! ? https://t.co/BZCv5iKulZ
— Jordan Fuller (@j_fuller4) January 20, 2020
The goat returns
— Marcus Williamson (@WW_Marcus) January 20, 2020
https://t.co/PyLoJeKYRA pic.twitter.com/1MeAGi1TVd
— Bryson shaw (@bshaw272727) January 20, 2020
This is why you crack the vault for Kerry Coombs… he can coach at every level (very difficult to do). He cares for his guys and they buy in…. but don’t take my word for it ? https://t.co/KwGMCi9U4R
— Bobby Carpenter (@Bcarp3) January 20, 2020
I’ve always believed position coach is most important relationship to a college ? player. In this business you meet a lot of fake folks. Coach Coombs has always been a real one. Proud to call him friend. Excited for those young men who will get to experience him as DC at tOSU pic.twitter.com/gMSF57MpJP
— Annie Apple (@SurvivinAmerica) January 20, 2020
If you cut Coach Kerry Coombs, he’d bleed coffee… https://t.co/5ZXG1J8vWs
— Annie Apple (@SurvivinAmerica) January 20, 2020
Vrabel on Kerry Coombs leaving: I'm happy for Kerry. I never want to be the coach that keeps someone from being where they want to be.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) January 20, 2020
#Titans safety Amani Hooker isn't a rookie any more. He finished his first season. Here's what he said learned from DB coach Kerry Coombs: pic.twitter.com/o1k2MnjLHB
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) January 20, 2020
Recapping Kerry Coombs first practice at Ohio State way back in 2012. | The-Ozone Rewind: Watching Kerry Coombs' OSU Practice Debut https://t.co/e3EYlh3rKZ via @theozonedotnet
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) January 20, 2020
Just saw Kerry Coombs' truck at the gas station. pic.twitter.com/haH1moQd04
— Nicholas Jackson (@Gobucks2204) January 20, 2020
B?️?️?️?️?️?️MMMMM!!!!! pic.twitter.com/wLXeR3dvOg
— Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) January 20, 2020



I was so sad when he left, it’s so good to have him back.
looking forward to Coach Day & defensive coaches describing how we are going to defend various offenses they see coming in 2020.
noise : talking ~ saying : doing
consider: any goat knows to be a GOAT literally & logically means all time is over – The End.
looking forward to Coach Day & defensive coaches describing how we are going to defend various offenses they see coming in 2020.
What happened to Greg Mattison
I can do OK without having to look at that picture everytime I come to the Ozone.
STOKED! That’s saying a lot coming from an old (OLD!) Buckeye Football fan. Go Bucks…Go Defense…Silver Bullet tradition forward.
Let’s go ahead and stay a miles away from
Annie Apple
It takes a village…
some smarter folks confuse trite sayings and repetition…
with doing.
Consider the logical implications of “it takes a village….”
Grammatically: no subject, no action verb, no object….
Rational cover for the ‘like a family’ assertions that “you can’t build that” …only I can make the waters recede…. while i tell you all about what you MUST do to ‘contribute’ to MY 17 #1 priorities….
There may well be far more ‘village idiots’… than villages. ;-{)}
Every one of my many ‘lesser moments’ … ‘proves that point’….