Meyer watching assistants’ roles

The Ohio State defense has just one coordinator listed, Greg Schiano, but coach Urban Meyer said that might change.

Luke Fickell held the title of defensive coordinator the first five seasons under Meyer before being named University of Cincinnati coach in December. But Fickell always had a designated co-coordinator — first Everett Withers, then Chris Ash, then Schiano.

At the moment, Schiano — former head coach at Rutgers and of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers — is the only member of the defensive staff with coordinator in his title. But Meyer said he has his eyes on defensive backs coach Kerry Coombs, line coach Larry Johnson and newly hired linebackers coach Bill Davis.

“I’m going to evaluate what’s the best for our program and kind of watch (them),” Meyer said.

When it was rumored in December that Coombs might join Fickell at UC, Meyer praised Coombs’ contributions and said his duties likely would increase.

“Kerry will have a much expanded role just because … (Schiano) is going to give more attention to the front seven,” Meyer said Monday. “Kerry will have more responsibility on the back end of our defense.”

Powerful message

OSU’s “Real Life Wednesday” guest speaker this week was Ray Rice, the former Baltimore Ravens running back who was released in 2014 when video surfaced of him punching his thenfiancee in an elevator.

He has been out of football since.

“One or two bad decisions and your dream could become a nightmare,” Rice tells the Buckeyes on a video issued by OSU. “The truth is, you have one bad night, that means you’ve got a lot of other bad things going on.”

He said his alcohol intake that night exacerbated the situation, and he added that he knew he needed help to sort things out in his life.

“Never be too afraid to ask for help, men,” said Rice, who played for Schiano at Rutgers.

“That’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned. … We’re all a moment away from being where we want to be. But we’re all a moment away from losing it all.”