The reigning Mid-American Conference champions got back to work Thursday morning with the first day of spring camp. Ohio officially began the Brian Smith era featuring a field of plenty of new coaches and players.
Here is what The Post learned after day one of spring camp:
Smith adjusting well to the new role
Brian Smith was named Ohio’s new head coach in December after former coach Tim Albin left to become the new head coach at Charlotte. Smith has now had three quick months to assemble his team and start building toward the 2025 season.
“It's a humbling experience,” Smith said. “I'm extremely proud to have the opportunity to lead this program. It’s a great responsibility. I love the kids that are here in the program.”
Smith is no stranger to Ohio, having been in the program since 2022 serving multiple roles including offensive coordinator in 2024. Making the transition from coordinator to head coach has been seamless for Smith.
Having already made connections around the conference, Smith said he’s had conversations with other coaches like Akron’s Joe Moorhead who has helped him feel more comfortable as a MAC head coach.
A focal point for Smith’s first few months has been continuing his relationships within the community.
“As an assistant within the program, you're a member of the community here, which was great,” Smith said. “I’ve spent a lot more time (since being named head coach) trying to engage alumni; alumni at the school, alumni of the football program, and really give them opportunity to get to know me and my vision for the program.”
New coaches making a steady transition
Smith isn’t the only coach on staff either serving in a new role or experiencing their first year at Ohio. Smith brought in four new coaches to his staff while almost every tenured staff member has switched roles or been given a greater role under Smith.
Former Ohio quarterbacks coach Scott Isphording was elevated to offensive coordinator and former defensive coordinator John Hauser was chosen to reprise his role, while also now fulfilling the role of associate head coach.
Additionally, former graduate assistant Kyle Obly made an impressive jump to now being Ohio’s tight ends coach.
New coaches include offensive line coach Tavita Thompson, special teams coordinator Matt Butterfield, linebackers coach Chris Woods and defensive ends coach Jeff Phelps.
Each coach brings in a breadth of Division I experience that excites Smith for the 2025 season.
“I think we did a good job of hiring people that really fit the program, fit the culture, that are great teachers and great people within the program,” Smith said. “It's a player-first program, so they're going to get coached, they're going to be loved by the coaches. (Our coaches) are going to develop them as people. So it's important to have (coaches) here that embrace that.”
New players
The offseason has brought many new faces to many programs, which is no different for Ohio. The biggest addition to the team is runningback Sieh Bangura, who is rejoining Ohio after a one-year stint at Minnesota.
Bangura, who spent three years with Ohio before transferring, brings experience and a familiarity with the program after Ohio lost Anthony Tyus II to the NFL Draft and Rickey Hunt Jr. to the transfer portal this offseason.
“It’s great to have Sieh back,” Smith said. “That was awesome to have a kid that can be integrated so fast and is going to impact at a high level right away.”
Smith also mentioned true freshman linebacker Charlie Christopher, an early enrollee who came to Athens after playing high school football at Lake Highschool in Uniontown, Ohio.
“Charlie Christopher has been really fun to work with,” Smith said. “I’m excited to see how spring goes for him, he had a tremendous offseason and we’re excited to see what he can do.”
Spring game to remain tradition under Smith
In the ever-changing world of college sports, the newest revelation in the college football field is the changing or outright elimination of spring games. Once thought to be a requirement for teams, the early practice window is starting to fade away due to transfer portal concerns.
While the spring game may be altered or eliminated at programs like Texas, Ohio State and Nebraska, Ohio will keep the spring game under Smith, as Ohio will take the field at Peden Stadium April 19 for this year’s spring game.
“We'll have a traditional scrimmage,” Smith said. “It won't be a true football game, but we're going to play football.”
While many coaches have cited schools contacting players about entering the transfer portal after viewing their play in the spring game, Smith doesn’t appear to be concerned.
“I think some coaches are a little bit overdramatic in that regard,” Smith said. “All of our film is on PFF, if teams want to go and look at our guys, it's not hard to find information on them … to rob them of the opportunity to compete and get better and just a get chance to play football, which is why (the players are) here. It's what (other coaches) end up doing.”
