OSU’S Terry has homecoming as coach with Central State
As a player, Curtis Terry missed out on two final chances to run out onto the field at Ohio Stadium.
On Saturday, he’ll get a third opportunity. This time, the former Ohio State football player will return to his former home as the defensive coordinator for Central State, which will face Kentucky State in the Classic for Columbus. For the HBCU programs, it will mark a return to action after their entire 2020 seasons were wiped out due to COVID-19.
For Terry, it’s that and the birth of his collegiate coaching career at the place where his playing career ended.
“It’s funny how things come full circle,” he said.
A product of Cleveland Glenville, Terry signed with Ohio State in 2004 and redshirted as a freshman. As a fourth-year junior, he missed out on what could have been senior day in 2007 had he not taken a medical redshirt. Finally, as a fifth-year senior, Terry underwent surgery to fix two broken tibias only two days before the 2008 Michigan game and obviously wasn’t able to run onto the field for the ceremony.
Now, after being promoted from a volunteer linebackers coach to fulltime defensive coordinator by firstyear coach Bobby Rome II, Terry isn’t just excited for his chance in the Horseshoe: he’s excited to see his players finally get back to game action.
“I think the guys realize what an amazing opportunity it is just to have this chance, and I think we’re going to go out there and play our hearts out and put our best foot forward,” he said. “For me, there’s nothing like the ‘Shoe, coming out of that tunnel with 100,000-plus screaming fans. It’s an experience and I’m glad my guys are going to get to experience that.”
Terry said he has taken lessons from Ohio State coach Jim Tressell and
Glenville coach Ted Ginn Sr., his former coaches. Ginn hired him for his first coaching job when Terry’s playing career came to a close. He also earned his degree from Ohio State in 2018, utilizing the university’s degree completion program afforded to former student-athletes.
Although he hasn’t yet coached a game at Central State, he’s had an impact on players such as senior defensive back Keandre Powell, a Brookhaven product.
“I love playing for him,” Powell said. “I can’t wait to get out there and win all these games and take it all the way to the national title. It’s gonna be a real long season, a great season that I’m looking forward to.”
Terry and Powell aren’t the only Marauders making homecomings. Mifflin linebacker/strong safety Bryan Battle and a pair of freshmen from Pickerington Central, linebacker William Dukes and defensive lineman Brandon Mcdougal, are also on the roster. Dukes, who said he’s never been to an Ohio State game, is expecting a personal crowd of roughly 30 friends and family.
“It’s gonna be great, at O-state,” he said. “The big house, it’s gonna be on.” ajardy@dispatch.com @Adamjardy