Ohio State is hiring Temple defensive coordinator Taver Johnson has cornerbacks coach, sources told FootballScoop on Monday. Eleven Warriors first reported that Johnson is now listed in Ohio State's university employee directory in an unspecified role.
Johnson's hiring will mark the second time he has coached cornerbacks for Ohio State. He previously held that role on Jim Tressel's staff from 2007-11. He was originally retained as part of Urban Meyer's initial staff in 2012, but left to become the linebackers coach at Arkansas. He coached Purdue's defensive backs from 2014-16, then joined Geoff Collins's staff at Temple as defensive coordinator ahead of the 2017 campaign.
He replaces Kerry Coombs, who left to join former Buckeye Mike Vrabel's staff with the Tennessee Titans.
Johnson represents the second active FBS defensive coordinator Ohio State has hired away this winter. The Buckeyes plucked away Washington State defensive coordinator Alex Grinch in December to serve as their 10th assistant; his role has yet to be publicly specified.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.