Following up on rumors that began to make their way around the college football world, Ohio State has lost cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson to Arkansas, the coach confirmed to the Columbus Dispatch.
Johnson was retained by new Ohio State coach Urban Meyer from Jim Tressel’s staff, but ultimately elected to go to the Hogs and reunite with Paul Haynes, who was co-defensive coordinator for the Buckeyes. In addition to his responsibilities as linebackers coach, Johnson said he will carry the title of Assistant Head Coach*.
(*note: not to be confused with Assistant To The Head Coach)
“This is a great opportunity, getting the chance to be an assistant head coach and some of the added duties that will come with that,” Johnson said to the Dispatch. “With that said, I love Ohio State. Urban Meyer is an incredible coach, and I really am appreciative of the opportunity coach Jim Tressel gave me (six years ago) to come to a place I’ve always wanted to be a part of.”
“Taver is an extremely enthusiastic and devoted coach,” said Bobby Petrino in a statement. “He has a strong work ethic, is a great teacher of the game and is skillful at relating to his players. During his time at Ohio State, he became familiar with the principles Coach (Paul) Haynes has worked to incorporate here. He has also been a part of a program with a culture of consistently winning and will be instrumental in preparing our players to compete for championships.”