COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State soccer coach will remain intact after linebacker coach Al Washington turned down Tennessee’s offer to become defensive coordinator.
As first reported by Vols247 and confirmed by an OSU source to cleveland.com, Washington has rejected a lucrative offer to join Josh Heupel’s new volunteer staff.
The state of Ohio has not yet announced the financial boost and potential title change to persuade Washington, a native of Columbus, to stay. Washington would earn a base salary of $ 515,000 in 2021 in terms of the updated contract he signed after the 2019 season. Tennessee reportedly offers more than double the salary.
In addition to money, Tennessee Washington can offer something that the state of Ohio cannot do – complete coordinator duties. However, Washington would also have left one of the most successful and consistent programs of college football to participate in one that has been hit by a decade of volatile performance and has recently been hit by a scandal.
Washington, 36, is seen as a rising prospect for coaching. He should get better deals in the near future than those hung by Tennessee. For now, however, Ohio State is holding one of its most respected and dynamic coaches on staff at a crucial time for the linebacker room.
Washington was the only linebacker coach in OSU’s staff after the retirement of coordinator Greg Mattison. Day promotes Matt Barnes to Secondary Coach (from Special Team Coordinator and Secondary Assistant Coach) and promotes Parker Fleming to Special Team Coordinator (from Quality Control Coach to Special Teams).
While it protected the continuity and advancement of ideals that Day valued, it also left the Buckeyes with one less true defensive coach. Fleming had previous university assistant experience before his QC role, but it was offensive.
Multiple starters Tuf Borland, Baron Browning and Pete Werner, and valuable reserve Justin Hilliard, all benefited from Washington’s oversight. Everyone has completed their careers this past season.
The lineout room displays a class of emerging seniors waiting their turn. Dallas Gant, Teradja Mitchell and K’Vaughn Pope will compete in a completely revamped starting lineup with redhead Kourt Williams, sophomores Craig Young and Kody Simon and others.
Yet Washington’s impact has expanded in the future as well. The state of Ohio has three lineout commitments ranked in the top 55 of the 2022 class. These include Dasan McCullough, whose father, Deland, is returning to Indiana as co-head coach and full-back coach.
To retain Washington will help the state of Ohio in 2021, but the consequences of Tuesday’s ruling could be felt for years.
Get the Ohio State Champs and CFP Equipment: Look for shirts, hats and more goods to commemorate the Sugar Bowl victory over Ohio in Clemson, as well as equipment for the Buckeyes advancing to the College Football Playoff National Championship.
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