Exactly nine weeks after being announced as the permanent successor to Jim Tressel, Urban Meyer has officially put the finishing touches on his inaugural Ohio State coaching staff.
Confirming reports over the past several days, the Buckeyes announced via a press release that 31-year coaching veteran Bill Sheridan has been added as a defensive assistant. While the release did not specify which position the veteran will man, it’s believed Sheridan will serve as defensive backs coach.
Sheridan had spent the past seven seasons as an assistant at the NFL level, including the last two with the Miami Dolphins.
“Bill Sheridan is a perfect fit for our program,” Meyer said. “His experiences in the NFL are huge. He has Midwest roots and, most importantly, he wants to be an Ohio State Buckeye. I am really impressed with him and I think he is going to be a terrific addition to our defensive staff as a coach, teacher and as a recruiter.”
Prior to his time in the professional ranks, Sheridan spent nearly two decades as a college coach, including stops at Maine (1987-88), Cincinnati (1989-91), Army (1992-97), Michigan State (1998-2000), Notre Dame (2001) and Michigan (2002-04). In 2002 and 2003, he served as the Wolverines’ recruiting coordinator.
“I have a refreshed perspective coming back from the NFL and getting into college coaching again,” Sheridan said. “I am really interested to study the offenses people are running in the Big Ten. The running quarterbacks are distinctly different than what you see in the NFL. It is stimulating if you enjoy the schematic part of the game, and I do.”
