Ohio promoted offensive coordinator and interim head coach Brian Smith to head coach.
Smith replaces Tim Albin, the coach for the past four years who recently took the same job at Charlotte. The Bobcats previously promoted Albin to replace Frank Solich. Under Albin and Smith, Ohio won the MAC this season for the first time since 1968. The Bobcats have had three consecutive 10-win seasons and will play Jacksonville State in the Cure Bowl on Friday.
Brian Smith Named Ohio Football Head Coach
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— Ohio Football (@OhioFootball) December 18, 2024
“Ohio Bobcat Football has been on a historic run in recent years, and Brian Smith has been a significant part of not only our MAC Championship team, but also our established culture of winning,” athletic director Julie Cromer said in a statement. “During the course of a national search that attracted several outstanding candidates, Coach Smith ultimately stood out above the rest. He presented a plan for not only sustaining our culture and foundation but also building upon it in the evolving landscape of college football.”
Smith joined Ohio in 2022 as running backs coach, added the associate head coach title in 2023, became offensive coordinator in 2024 and has been the interim head coach since Albin left.
Despite losing star quarterback Kurtis Rourke to Indiana and running back Sieh Bangura to Minnesota in the transfer portal last year, Smith’s offense led the MAC in scoring, yards per game and rushing yards per game this season.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the Ohio University football program,” Smith said in a statement. “Coach Solich and Albin laid the foundation for our success brick-by-brick, developing a culture that is second to none. Our culture and values will be protected and will continue to thrive, producing tremendous young men who are champions on the field and in our communities.”
Before Ohio, Smith worked at Washington State and Hawaii.
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(Photo: Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images)
