ANN ARBOR, Mich. — College of Michigan J. Ira and Nicki Harris Household Head Soccer Coach Sherrone Moore introduced Saturday (Dec. 6) the hiring of Kerry Coombs because the Wolverines’ Particular Groups Coordinator. Coombs brings 42 years of teaching expertise to his place in Ann Arbor, mentoring gamers at the highschool, faculty and NFL ranges.
“Coach Kerry Coombs is a confirmed, distinctive soccer coach, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to our program,” mentioned Moore. “Kerry’s management of our particular groups will likely be invaluable. His experience in instructing and mentoring has persistently formed each excellent athletes and memorable younger males –including a number of the nation’s high particular groups gamers and cornerbacks. We’re proud to have Kerry, Holly, and their household be a part of the Michigan Soccer household.”
Coombs was named the 2017 Rivals.com Nationwide Recruiter of the 12 months and likewise was chosen because the Large Ten’s Recruiter of the 12 months on three events.
Most just lately, Coombs was the particular groups coordinator and cornerbacks coach at Cincinnati from 2022-24. In 2023, his cornerbacks battled via accidents all through the season with 5 completely different gamers incomes their first profession begins. UC nonetheless completed fourth within the Large 12 in cross protection. On particular groups, punter Mason Fletcher earned All-Large 12 honorable point out and kicker Carter Brown transformed 15-of-19 subject objectives.
Coombs broke in new starters at cornerback in 2022. Ja’Quan Sheppard elevated his recreation, going from backup to starter, and earned first-team all-conference honors. Fletcher was a finalist for the Ray Man Award and was named the AAC Particular Groups Participant of the 12 months. Ryan Coe was the second-team all-league kicker.
After a stint teaching within the NFL, Coombs returned to Ohio State as this system’s defensive coordinator for 2 seasons (2020-21). He helped the Buckeyes to the Large Ten Championship and an look within the Faculty Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship Recreation in 2020. The workforce’s dashing protection ranked sixth within the nation and the unit produced 20 turnovers in simply eight video games. Cornerback Shaun Wade was a consensus All-American and was chosen because the Large Ten’s Defensive Again of the 12 months.
Coombs joined the Tennessee Titans group because the workforce’s secondary coach for 2 seasons (2018-19) between stints at Ohio State. Throughout his time in Nashville, Coombs produced one of many league’s greatest items, rating within the high 10 in cross protection each seasons, and among the many high teams in passer score, opponent completion share and interceptions. The Titans made the playoffs in 2019 however misplaced within the AFC Championship Recreation.
After a profitable 5 seasons at Cincinnati, Coombs accepted a place at Ohio State in 2012, mentoring the cornerbacks. He added the duties of particular groups coordinator throughout his last 5 seasons in Columbus (2013-17). The Buckeyes totaled 101 interceptions with 17 of these picks returned for touchdowns, which ranked among the many nation’s greatest throughout that point. As well as, each beginning cornerback throughout that span performed within the NFL.
Throughout a four-year stretch (2014-17), the Buckeyes received two Large Ten Championships and have become the first-ever Faculty Soccer Playoff Nationwide Champion in 2014. Ohio State by no means completed decrease than thirteenth nationally in cross protection, together with a No. 3 end within the NCAA rankings in 2016. OSU was additionally fourth nationally with 21 interceptions in 2016, together with main the nation with seven interception returns for a landing.
Coombs coached seven cornerbacks at Ohio State who had been chosen within the first spherical of the NFL Draft: Bradley Roby (2014, Denver Broncos), Eli Apple (2016, New York Giants), Marshon Lattimore (2017, New Orleans Saints), Gareon Conley (2017, Oakland Raiders), Denzel Ward (2018, Cleveland Browns), Jeff Okudah (2020, Detroit Lions) and Damon Arnette (2020, Las Vegas Raiders). Throughout that timeframe, Coombs grew to become the primary coach to have three cornerbacks taken within the first spherical over consecutive drafts (2016-17).
He joined Brian Kelly’s employees on the College of Cincinnati in 2007 as defensive backs coach and stayed with this system via the 2011 season. Throughout his first season with the Bearcats, the workforce led the nation with 26 interceptions. In 2009, Coombs was promoted to affiliate head coach along with serving as particular groups coordinator and sustaining his position as defensive backs coach. He performed an enormous half in UC’s 33-7 report over three seasons that included two BCS bowl video games: the 2008 Orange Bowl vs. Virginia Tech and 2009 Sugar Bowl vs. Florida.
Coombs had a distinguished highschool teaching profession prior to creating the soar to the collegiate teaching ranks. He grew to become head coach at Cincinnati’s Colerain Excessive Faculty in 1991, his alma mater, and led this system for 16 years. Coombs’ groups posted a 161-34 general report throughout his tenure with 10 state playoff appearances and reached the state semifinals on 5 events. The Cardinals received the 2004 state championship underneath Coombs’ management.
He was an assistant coach in Cincinnati at Greenhills Excessive Faculty and Lakota Excessive Faculty earlier than accepting the pinnacle coach duties at Loveland Excessive Faculty in 1989.
A local of Colerain, Ohio, Coombs graduated from the College of Dayton in 1983. He was a part of the Flyers’ 1980 Division III Nationwide Championship.
Coombs and his spouse, Holly, have three grownup kids: daughter, Cortney, and sons, Brayden and Dylan.
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