First time head football coach creates new staff

by Jonathan Kane
For The Post

Whoever devised the saying "defense wins championships" must have considered the Brian Knorrs of college football.

Knorr was hired as Ohio's head football coach on Dec. 12. The former Ohio defensive coordinator hopes to use the team's defense to lead the program to a Mid-American Conference Championship.

After former head coach Jim Grobe left to become Wake Forest's head coach, Director of Athletics Thomas Boeh announced the 36-year-old Knorr would assume the head coaching duties.

"Over the past six years Brian has clearly displayed the quality of character, passion for the game, and exceptional coaching expertise that equips him to lead the Ohio Bobcat football program to the Mid-American Conference Championship," Boeh said.

Although this is the first time Knorr has held the head coaching reigns, he does not lack experience. Knorr has been an integral part of the Ohio football program for more than six years. He joined Ohio in 1995 as Grobe's inside linebacker coach.

In 1999 he also became Ohio's defensive coordinator. During the past two seasons as defensive coordinator he helped establish the Bobcats as a defensive force. His teams ranked third in total defense in the MAC in 1999 and 2000. Ohio's defense was instrumental in establishing a 7-4 record last season.

Knorr said he hopes Ohio can build on last year's performance.

"Next year we certainly have a very challenging schedule," Knorr said. "We start off with three teams that won bowl games so I feel it's great that we have such an experienced team that has been in battle with great teams."

Knorr began his new job by creating a staff of his own. He named Greg Gregory from Richmond as the Bobcats' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Knorr said he is very excited to make him the first hire.

"The turnaround of our program over the last six years has been greatly attributed to option football," Knorr said. "We have recruited our personnel to fit this system and now we have added one of the most experienced and talented option-oriented coaches in the country as our coordinator.

"I really feel that Mike Summers and Greg Gregory are two guys on the offensive staff that have a tremendous amount of experience in the type offense we've executed over the past five years - an option based offense."

Knorr also added Ron Antoine, a former graduate assistant coach at Ohio, to coach the wide receivers. Mike Summers will coach the offensive line for Ohio. Summers comes to Ohio after compiling a resume of experience at schools such as Northern Illinois, Oregon State and most recently Oklahoma State.

Knorr named Tim Kish as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Kish was defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Illinois during the past four seasons.

"Tim brings some tremendous experience to our staff," Knorr said. "He will bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to our defense, and as a central Ohio native, he has vast recruiting experience in the state of Ohio."

Eric Washington also will work with Ohio's defense. Washington leaves a defensive coordinator position at the United States Naval Academy Prep School.

With the addition of personnel such as Gregory, Antoine, Kish, Washington and Summers who come from winning programs, Knorr is taking strides in the right direction.

"I've taken my time and have tried to get the best guys in here that fit our system," Knorr said. "It's a situation where our players are very excited."

Knorr said the Ohio players are also excited because they have been successful.

"With such an experienced group coming back, we certainly have an opportunity to do some good things," Knorr said. "This is a group that has high expectations."