The coach immediately before Urban Meyer was Luke Fickell, who served as the interim head coach in 2011.
Urban Meyer took over the head coaching position for the 2012 season. Prior to his arrival, Luke Fickell stepped in as the interim coach for a single season in 2011, following the departure of long-time head coach Jim Tressel. Fickell's interim tenure bridged the gap between the Tressel era and the start of Meyer's successful run.
Ohio State Coaching Timeline Leading to Urban Meyer
To provide a clear historical context, here's a brief overview of the head coaches leading up to Urban Meyer's tenure, as detailed by the Bentley Historical Library:
| Coach | Years |
|---|---|
| John Cooper | 1988-2000 |
| Jim Tressel | 2001-2010 |
| Luke Fickell (interim) | 2011 |
| Urban Meyer | 2012-2018 |
This timeline clearly illustrates Luke Fickell's role as the transitional figure before Urban Meyer assumed the coaching duties. For more historical coaching information, you can refer to resources like the UM vs OSUm Coaches at the Bentley Historical Library.
