The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Ohio: a football coaching history

Regional Program I#79 of 138–
See Ohio’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Bill Hess
Peaked at National Program II
Built by
Frank Solich
Regional Program IV → Regional Program II (+9.9)
The fall
Cleve Bryant
Regional Program IV → Regional Program V (−5.0)
Right now
John Hauser
in year 2 — too new to place in Ohio's history

Stature & coaches, 1962–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)HessBurkeBryantLichtenbergGrobeKnorrSolichAlbin197019902010

Every coach

2025–now
John Hausershort tenure
1–0
2025–2025
Brian Smithshort tenure
8–4
2021–2024
Tim Albincaretaker🏆 COY
Tim Albin moved Ohio from Regional Program II to Regional Program I in 4 seasons.
Regional Program I
34–19
2005–2020
Frank Solichcaretaker
Frank Solich moved Ohio from Regional Program IV to Regional Program II in 16 seasons.
+9.9
115–82
2001–2004
Brian Knorrcaretaker
Brian Knorr held Ohio at Regional Program IV for 4 seasons.
Regional Program IV
11–35
1995–2000
Jim Grobecaretaker
Jim Grobe moved Ohio from Regional Program VI to Regional Program IV in 6 seasons.
+8.3
33–33
1990–1994
Tom Lichtenbergcaretaker
Tom Lichtenberg held Ohio at Regional Program V for 5 seasons.
Regional Program V
8–45
1985–1989
Cleve Bryantcaretaker
Cleve Bryant slid Ohio from Regional Program IV to Regional Program V in 5 seasons.
Regional Program V
9–44
1979–1984
Brian Burkecaretaker
Brian Burke slid Ohio from Regional Program III to Regional Program II in 6 seasons.
Regional Program II
31–34
1978–1978
Bob Kappesshort tenure
3–8
1962–1977
Bill Hesscaretaker
Bill Hess held Ohio at National Program II for 16 seasons.
National Program II
80–83