COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Kerry Coombs officially has another outlet for his seemingly bottomless supply of energy.
After making a positive impression during his first season as an assistant coach leading the cornerbacks, Coombs added some additional responsibilities on Friday with a promotion to become the program's special teams coordinator.
Coombs will continue to work with the cornerbacks as well, but the extra title qualifies as a promotion for the veteran coach following a productive first season working under coach Urban Meyer.
"Kerry Coombs is an excellent coach who has a great deal of experience and expertise with special teams," Meyer said in a release. "He is an outstanding teacher, an excellent motivator and he has a true passion for special teams."
That fondness for both the kicking game and his players was easy to see during Ohio State's perfect season last fall as he managed the kickoff coverage unit and dubbed his group of young, relatively undersized players the "Piranhas." That unit struggled with injuries and depth, but it still held opponents to less than 21 yards per return -- allowing the Buckeyes to gamble by avoiding touchbacks that would place the football on the 25-yard line and subtly improve defensive field position.
His cornerbacks were even more productive, with Bradley Roby finishing his redshirt sophomore season as an ESPN.com first-team All-American and Travis Howard leading the Big Ten with 4 interceptions.
"I am incredibly excited and honored to be given the responsibility of special teams coordinator," Coombs said. "The special teams have always been a part of the game that I have enjoyed coaching.
"These plays are so critical to the success of a team, and they can really swing momentum. I look forward to having an increased role in the development of them."
