Kerry Coombs returns to Ohio State Buckeyes as co-defensive coordinator

With the Tennessee Titans' playoff run complete, secondary coach Kerry Coombs is returning to the Ohio State Buckeyes as co-defensive coordinator.

The Columbus Dispatch's Rob Oller reported earlier this month that Coombs' move was expected, but the news became official on Monday.

Coombs worked with defensive backs at OSU for six seasons before leaving for the Titans in January of 2018.

Coombs becomes the highest-paid assistant coach on Ryan Day’s staff with a salary of at least $1.2 million, according to The Dispatch's Bill Rabinowitz.

More from Oller from earlier:

Sources anticipate Day soon will add another NFL coach to his staff by hiring secondary coach Kerry Coombs away from the Tennessee Titans to co-coordinate the defense. One source suggested recruits are being assured, but not guaranteed, that Coombs is coming to Columbus.

Though not officially a done deal — Coombs would return to Ohio State for a chance to orchestrate the defense and oversee the secondary. As co-coordinator with Greg Mattison, Coombs would elevate his chances of someday becoming a head coach — if that’s what he wants, and most assistants want at least one crack at running their own program.

The Detroit Lions hired Coombs' son, Brayden, a graduate of Colerain High School and Miami University and former Cincinnati Bengals assistant, to be their new special teams coach earlier this month.

Before OSU, Kerry Coombs coached defensive backs for the Cincinnati Bearcats for five seasons from 2007 to 2011. He also led Colerain High School to a Division I state title in 2004 and 10 playoff appearances.

Kerry Coombs started his college career at UC under Brian Kelly in the 2006 International Bowl. Coombs declined an opportunity to go with Kelly to Notre Dame and stayed at UC with Butch Jones, before accepting the position under Urban Meyer at OSU. Coombs' five seasons at UC included three years as associate head coach in addition to being defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator.

The 1979 Colerain graduate compiled a 161-34 record as head coach with the Cardinals prior to UC.

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