COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Ohio State has hired Iowa State assistant Tom Herman to be its new quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator under Urban Meyer.
Athletic director Gene Smith confirmed the hiring on Friday.
Herman, 35, has served as Iowa State’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach the past three seasons. Herman favors a spread attack, also the preferred offense of Meyer. Herman is the first confirmed member of Meyer’s new staff.
“Tom Herman has one of the bright young minds in college football,” Meyer said in a statement released by Ohio State.“His philosophies are very similar to those of my own. I spoke to numerous colleagues about Tom and all had great things to say about him. I enjoyed our time together during the interview process and I am excited to have him on the staff.”
Herman will remain with Iowa State and coach the Cyclones in the Pinstripe Bowl against Rutgers on Dec. 30.
The Cyclones were never a prolific offense under Herman, scoring just 21.7 points per game in 2010 and 23.5 points per game this year. But Herman drew praise for having freshman quarterback Jared Barnett prepared to take over in mid-season after junior-college transfer Steele Jantz stumbled.
“We wish Tom and his family all the best,” Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads said in a statement released Friday. “Tom has made significant contributions as our offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. We appreciate the work he has done developing all our quarterbacks.”
The Cyclones offense has had its moments in 2011, stunning Texas Tech in a 41-7 win in Lubbock and, of course, ruining Oklahoma State’s shot at a national title in a 37-31 double-overtime win on Nov. 18.
Herman gained the attention of Rhoads after two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Rice, where the Owls averaged 41.6 points per game in 2008.
Herman also spent time at Texas State and Sam Houston State after starting his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Texas.
