Ohio State’s Special Teams Overhaul: A Sign of Things to Come in College Football?
Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes are making a significant investment in special teams, a traditionally overlooked facet of college football. The recent hiring of Illinois’ Robby Discher as special teams coordinator, coupled with key transfer portal additions and recruiting wins, signals a potential shift in how programs prioritize this crucial area of the game. But is this just an Ohio State anomaly, or a harbinger of a broader trend?
The Rising Value of Special Teams
For years, special teams were often treated as an afterthought. Coaches focused heavily on offensive and defensive stars, leaving special teams largely to assistant coaches with limited resources. However, the margins in college football are shrinking. Games are decided by fewer points, and consistently strong special teams play can be the difference between a championship run and a disappointing season.
The numbers bear this out. Illinois, under Discher’s guidance, consistently ranked among the nation’s elite in special teams efficiency. In 2023, they led the nation in blocked kicks/punts with seven – a statistic that directly impacts field position and scoring opportunities. Ohio State, by contrast, finished 67th in ESPN’s SP+ special teams rankings last season, highlighting a clear area for improvement. This disparity is precisely what Day is addressing.
Did you know? A study by Pro Football Focus found that teams with above-average special teams units win approximately 60% of their games, compared to 52% for teams with below-average units.
Beyond Coaching: A Holistic Approach
Ohio State’s strategy isn’t limited to a coaching change. They’ve aggressively targeted specialists in the transfer portal, bringing in Baylor kicker Connor Hawkins – a proven commodity with a strong leg – as well as long snapper Dalton Riggs (UCF) and punter Brady Young (Houston Christian). This demonstrates a commitment to upgrading all aspects of the special teams unit, not just coaching.
Hawkins’ 81.2% field goal percentage and ability to consistently make long-range kicks provide an immediate upgrade to a unit that struggled with consistency in recent years. The addition of a dedicated long snapper and punter further solidifies the foundation. Furthermore, securing a commitment from high school kicker Cooper Peterson for the 2026 class shows a long-term vision.
The “Non-Recruiter” Coordinator: A New Model?
Day’s decision to hire Discher – and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith – in roles that won’t directly contribute to the program’s 10 on-road recruiting coaches is noteworthy. This reflects a growing trend of specialization within coaching staffs. Programs are realizing the value of bringing in experts in specific areas, even if those experts aren’t primarily focused on recruiting.
This allows head coaches to allocate recruiting resources more strategically, focusing on positions where they believe they can gain a competitive advantage. It also allows specialist coaches like Discher to dedicate their full attention to improving their respective units. This model is likely to become more prevalent as college football continues to evolve.
Pro Tip: Don’t underestimate the impact of a well-coached special teams unit on recruiting. Top recruits notice when a program invests in all phases of the game, signaling a commitment to excellence.
The Ripple Effect: What This Means for the Future
Ohio State’s investment in special teams is likely to spur other programs to follow suit. As the game becomes more competitive, the value of every possession will continue to increase. Teams that consistently win the special teams battle will have a significant advantage.
We can expect to see more programs:
- Hire dedicated special teams coordinators with proven track records.
- Actively recruit and develop specialists through the transfer portal and high school recruiting.
- Allocate more resources to special teams practice and film study.
- Utilize advanced analytics to evaluate special teams performance and identify areas for improvement.
FAQ: Special Teams in College Football
Q: Why is special teams often overlooked?
A: Historically, special teams were seen as less glamorous than offense and defense, and therefore received less attention and resources.
Q: How much of an impact can special teams have on a game?
A: A significant impact. Field position, scoring opportunities, and momentum swings can all be heavily influenced by special teams play.
Q: What are some key special teams metrics to track?
A: Field goal percentage, punt/kick return average, net punt average, blocked kicks/punts, and touchback percentage are all important indicators of special teams success.
Q: Is the transfer portal changing the landscape of special teams recruiting?
A: Absolutely. The transfer portal allows programs to quickly address weaknesses in their special teams units by bringing in experienced specialists.
What are your thoughts on Ohio State’s special teams overhaul? Share your opinions in the comments below! For more in-depth analysis of college football trends, subscribe to our newsletter and explore our other articles on recruiting strategies and offensive playcalling.
