Saturday, April 01, 2000
Buckeyes turn over new leaf
OSU rebuilds after 6-6 season
BY SCOTT MacGREGOR
The Cincinnati Enquirer
To say it has been one of the longest winters in Columbus in years has nothing to do with the weather. It has everything to do with the fall of the Ohio State football team last autumn.
The last time the Buckeyes assembled on a field, they lost to Michigan 24-17 to complete a dismal 6-6 season, the first time since 1988 they did not go to a bowl game. The disastrous campaign was so bad, even coach John Cooper woefully said, “Hopefully, none of us at Ohio State will have to go through another season like this.”
At least the Buckeyes basketball team gave OSU fans something to think about in the four months since.
April springs new hope for the Buckeyes, who begin spring practice today and play the Scarlet and Gray game April 29 at Columbus Crew Stadium. Like the Buckeyes themselves, venerable Ohio Stadium needed improvements this winter, forcing the scrimmage to the home of the city's Major League Soccer franchise.
Changes to the squad include the loss of senior tailback Michael Wiley and junior linebacker Na'il Diggs (who declared early for the NFL draft) and the reorganization of the coaching staff. Chuck Stobart went from receivers coach to offensive co ordinator (replacing the fired Mike Jacobs), and secondary coach Jon Tenuta was promoted to defensive coordinator, with Fred Pagac moving to an assistant head coach's role.
Ohio State has 13 returning starters and 40 lettermen in camp, plus junior-college transfer Jack Tucker, who is expected to compete for a job at linebacker.
In addition to plugging holes from losses, the Buckeyes must improve several key areas that caused their demise last season: a porous offensive line, a defense that gave up too many big plays, a weak punting game and a quarterback (Steve Bellisari), who more often resembled a tailback and badly missed his receivers.
“Spring is a time for teach ing, for stressing fundamentals and for working with each playing to maximize his potential,” Cooper said. “We red-shirted a number of freshmen last year, so we need to find out what they can do.
“If we are going to be a better team in 2000, and we are, we need to spend a lot of time this spring working on all aspects of the game.”
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