2025 Ohio Bobcats football team

American college football season

2025 Ohio Bobcats football

Conference	Mid-American Conference
Record	0–0 (0–0 MAC)
Head coach	Brian Smith (1st season)
Offensive coordinator	Scott Isphording (4th season)
Offensive scheme	Spread option
Defensive coordinator	John Hauser (2nd season)
Base defense	4–2–5
Home stadium	Peden Stadium
Seasons← 20242026 →

2025 Mid-American Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
Akron	0	–	0	0	–	0
Ball State	0	–	0	0	–	0
Bowling Green	0	–	0	0	–	0
Buffalo	0	–	0	0	–	0
Central Michigan	0	–	0	0	–	0
Eastern Michigan	0	–	0	0	–	0
Kent State	0	–	0	0	–	0
Miami (OH)	0	–	0	0	–	0
Northern Illinois	0	–	0	0	–	0
Ohio	0	–	0	0	–	0
Toledo	0	–	0	0	–	0
UMass	0	–	0	0	–	0
Western Michigan	0	–	0	0	–	0
Championship: December 6, 2025
As of January 31, 2025

The 2025 Ohio Bobcats football team will represent Ohio University in the Mid-American Conference during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bobcats are led by Brian Smith in his first year as the head coach. The Bobcats will play home games at Peden Stadium, located in Athens, Ohio.

Offseason

Coaching staff changes

Departures

Name	Position	New school	New position
Tim Albin	Head coach	Charlotte	Head coach
Nate Faanes	co-defensive coordinator/Special teams coordinator/linebackers	Charlotte	Defensive coordinator/Linebackers
Kurt Mattix	Defensive ends/Pass Rush Specialist	Charlotte	Co-defensive coordinator/Defensive line
Brian Metz	Recruiting Coordinator/Tight ends	Charlotte	Tight ends/Recruiting coordinator
Allen Rudolph	Offensive line	Charlotte	Offensive line/Run game coordinator

Additions

Name	Position	Previous school	Previous position
Matt Butterfield	Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs	Arizona State	Assistant Special Teams Coordinator
Jeff Phelps	Pass Rush Specialist/Defensive Ends Coach	Wyoming	Defensive Tackles
Tavita Thompson	Offensive Line Coach	Central Michigan	Run game coordinator/Offensive Line Coach
Kyle Obly	Tight Ends	Ohio	Graduate Assistant
Joe Bolden	Linebackers	Nevada	Linebackers

Internal Changes

Name	New Position	Previous position
Brian Smith	Head Coach	Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/running backs
John Hauser	Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator	Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
Scott Isphording	Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks	Passing game coordinator/quarterbacks

Transfers

Source:

Positions key
C	Center	CB	Cornerback	DB	Defensive back	DE	Defensive end
DL	Defensive lineman	DT	Defensive tackle	FB	Fullback	FS	Free safety
G	Guard	K	Kicker	KR	Kickoff returner	LB	Linebacker
LS	Long snapper	MLB	Middle linebacker	OT	Offensive tackle	OL	Offensive lineman
OLB	Outside linebacker	NT	Nose tackle	P	Punter	PR	Punt returner
QB	Quarterback	RS	Return specialist	RB	Running back	S	Safety
SS	Strong safety	TE	Tight end	WR	Wide receiver

^ May sometimes be referred to as an edge rusher (EDGE)
Also known as offensive guard (OG)
Also known as placekicker (PK)
Also known as inside linebacker (ILB)

Outgoing

Player	Position	Destination
Bradley Weaver	DL	Rutgers
Parker Startz	EDGE	Charlotte
Bryce Butler	TE
Stellan Bowman	LB	Charlotte
Rickey Hunt Jr.	RB	Tulsa
CJ Doggette	DL	Florida Atlantic
Austin Brawley	S	New Mexico
Jacob Dennison	T	Wake Forest
Gianni Spetic	K	Memphis
Reise Collier	LB
Xander Karagosian	S
Colby Garfield	LS	Charlotte

Incoming

Player	Position	Transferred From
Nick Hemer	OL	Hutchinson Community College
Anas Luqman	EDGE	Arkansas–Pine Bluff
Rickey Hyatt	S	South Alabama
Evan Herrmann	EDGE	Vanderbilt
David Dellenbach	K	UCLA
Sieh Bangura	RB	Minnesota
Alfred Jordan Jr.	WR	Idaho State
Jaymar Mundy	Pierre Kemeni Jr.	Western Kentucky
Pierre Kemeni Jr.	CB	New Mexico
Nehemiah Dukes	DL	Youngstown State

Recruiting class

College recruiting information
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
Michael Taylor RB	Pickerington, OH	Pickerington North	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	Jun 30, 2024
Michael Taylor RB	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 74
Ike Ackerman EDGE	Omaha, NE	Central	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	240 lb (110 kg)	Nov 16, 2024
Ike Ackerman EDGE	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 73
Jermaine Minnis LB	Hyattsville, MD	DeMatha Catholic	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	Jul 5, 2024
Jermaine Minnis LB	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 74
Charlie Christopher LB	Uniontown, OH	Lake	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	May 9, 2024
Charlie Christopher LB	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports:
Irving Brown RB	Teachey, NC	Wallace-Rose Hill	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	193 lb (88 kg)	Oct 25, 2024
Irving Brown RB	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports:
Ty Neubert DL	Columbus, OH	St. Francis De Sales	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	250 lb (110 kg)	Jun 23, 2024
Ty Neubert DL	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports:
Angelo Delucia DL	Canfield, OH	Canfield	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	255 lb (116 kg)	Aug 6, 2024
Angelo Delucia DL	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports:
Tyson Long CB	Pickerington, OH	Pickerington North	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	Sep 20, 2024
Tyson Long CB	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 76
Kolten Bartles P	Richmond, MI	Richmond Community	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	Aug 2, 2024
Kolten Bartles P	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 74
Brandon Weaver DL	Hilliard, OH	Hilliard Darby	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	250 lb (110 kg)	Dec 17, 2024
Brandon Weaver DL	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A
Hype Grande QB	Pasadena, CA	Pasadena	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	165 lb (75 kg)	Jan 26, 2025
Hype Grande QB	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports:
Overall recruiting rankings:
‡ Refers to 40 yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Rivals commits". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 20, 2025. "ESPN commits". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 20, 2025. "2025 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 20, 2025. "247Sports commits". 247sports.com. Retrieved January 20, 2025.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV
August 30	TBA	at Rutgers*	SHI Stadium Piscataway, NJ	TBA
September 6	TBA	West Virginia*	Peden Stadium Athens, OH	TBA
September 13	TBA	at Ohio State*	Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH	TBA
September 20	TBA	Gardner–Webb*	Peden Stadium Athens, OH	TBA
TBA	TBA	at Akron	InfoCision Stadium Akron, OH	TBA
TBA	TBA	at Ball State	Scheumann Stadium Muncie, IN	TBA
TBA	TBA	at Northern Illinois	Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL	TBA
TBA	TBA	at Western Michigan	Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI	TBA
TBA	TBA	Central Michigan	Peden Stadium Athens, OH	TBA
TBA	TBA	Bowling Green	Peden Stadium Athens, OH	TBA
TBA	TBA	Toledo	Peden Stadium Athens, OH	TBA
TBA	TBA	Miami (OH)	Peden Stadium Athens, OH (Battle of the Bricks)	TBA
*Non-conference game All times are in Eastern time Source:

Game summaries

at Rutgers

See also: 2025 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team Ohio Bobcats (0–0) at Rutgers Scarlet Knights (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Bobcats			0
Scarlet Knights			0

at SHI Stadium • Piscataway, New Jersey

Date: August 30
Game time: TBA EDT
TV: TBA
Pregame line: •

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	OHIO	RUTG
First downs
Total yards	–	–
Rushing yards	–	–
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	––	––
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ohio	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Rutgers	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs. West Virginia

See also: 2025 West Virginia Mountaineers football team West Virginia Mountaineers (–) at Ohio Bobcats (–) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Mountaineers			0
Bobcats			0

at Peden Stadium • Athens, Ohio

Date: September 6
Game time: TBA EDT
TV: TBA
Pregame line: •

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	WVU	OHIO
First downs
Total yards	–	–
Rushing yards	–	–
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	––	––
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
West Virginia	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Ohio	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Ohio State

See also: 2025 Ohio State Buckeyes football team Ohio Bobcats (–) at Ohio State Buckeyes (–) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Bobcats			0
Buckeyes			0

at Ohio Stadium • Columbus, Ohio

Date: September 13
Game time: TBA EDT
TV: TBA
Pregame line: •

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	OHIO	OSU
First downs
Total yards	–	–
Rushing yards	–	–
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	––	––
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ohio	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Ohio State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs. Gardner–Webb (FCS)

See also: 2025 Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs football team Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs (–) at Ohio Bobcats (–) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Runnin' Bulldogs (FCS)			0
Bobcats			0

at Peden Stadium • Athens, Ohio

Date: September 20
Game time: TBA EDT
TV: TBA
Pregame line: •

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	GWEB	OHIO
First downs
Total yards	–	–
Rushing yards	–	–
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	––	––
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Gardner–Webb	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Ohio	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Personnel

Coaching staff

Since December 18, 2024, the head coach of the Ohio Bobcats has been Brian Smith. He heads a staff of ten assistant coaches, four graduate assistants, a director of football operations, and numerous other support staff.

Name	Position	Years at Ohio	Alma mater
Brian Smith	Head Coach	2022	University of Hawaii 2002
John Hauser	Associate Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator	2022	Wittenberg University 2002
Scott Isphording	Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks	2014	Hanover College 1994
Matt Butterfield	Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs	2025	University of Colorado 2010
De'Angelo Smith	Defensive Passing Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks Coach/Director of Player Development	2017	University of Cincinnati 2008
Tremayne Scott	Def. Running Game Coordinator/Defensive tackles	2018	Ohio University 2012
Jeff Phelps	Pass Rush Specialist/Defensive Ends Coach	2025	Ball State University 1999
Tavita Thompson	Offensive Line Coach	2025	Oregon State University 2008
Andre Allen	Wide receivers	2023	Ashford
Joe Bolden	Linebackers	2025	University of Michigan 2015
Kyle Obly	Tight Ends	2025	Ohio University 2022
Jeremiah Covington	Assistant athletic director for football operations	2022	Wingate University 2011
Jake Roney	Graduate assistant – offense
Garrett Pruss	Graduate assistant – defense
Nick Auriemma	Graduate assistant – defense

Support staff

Name	Position	Years at Ohio	Alma mater
Sarah Newgarde	Director of athletics administration and football communications	2021	Ohio University
Matthias Reiber	General Manager	2025	University of Cincinnati
Jerry Lin	Staff Athletic trainer (football, swim & dive)	2022	University of South Carolina
Will Fife	Director of equipment	2022	Ohio University
Caleb Moon	Assistant director of equipment services
Thomas Turnbaugh	Director of video and recruiting services	2018	Ohio University
Joe Tressy	Recruiting assistant	2024	Ohio State University
Elaine Goodfellow	Administrative assistant
Jaydin Schrantz	Football operations assistant	2024
Jessica Arquette	Ohio athletics sports dietitian		Bowling Green State University
Joseph Benish	Staff Athletic Trainer (Football/Track)	2023	Penn State University
Tyler Shumate	Director of Strength and Conditioning	2024	University of Virginia
John Bowman	Director of Sports Medicine & Athletics Health Care Administrator	1994	Ohio University
Dr. Sergio Ulloa	Team Orthopedic Physician		Ohio University
Dr. Katherine Guran	Head Team Physician		Northeast Ohio Medical University
James Odenthal	Staff Physical Therapist	2016	Ohio University

References

"2025 Football Coaching Staff". Retrieved January 19, 2024.
"Peden Stadium". Ohio University Athletics. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
"Brian Smith". Sports Reference.
Bailey, Hunter (2024-12-07). "Charlotte 49ers football zeroes in on Ohio's Tim Albin as next head coach". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
"Sources: Tim Albin makes key choice for defensive coordinator at Charlotte". Football Scoop. 2024-12-22. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
"Albin Adds Nine to Initial Coaching and Support Staff". Charlotte Athletics. 2025-01-07. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
Doug, Samuels (2025-01-07). "The Scoop - Tuesday January 7, 2024". Football Scoop. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
"Allen Rudolph". Charlotte Athletics. 2025-01-07. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
"Ohio Football Announces 2025 Offensive Staff, General Manager". Ohio Athletics. January 6, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
"Bolden, Phelps Join 2025 Ohio Football Staff". Ohio Athletics. January 8, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
"Ohio Football Announces 2025 Offensive Staff, General Manager". BVM Sports. January 6, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
Jeffries, Colton (January 8, 2025). "Ohio football announces new football staff". River Cities Tribune and Register. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
"instagram". instagram.com. January 8, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
Vannini, Chris (December 18, 2024). "Ohio promotes Brian Smith to head coach after Tim Albin's departure". New York Times. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
"John Hauser Promoted to Associate Head Coach". Ohio Athletics. December 20, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
"Ohio Football Announces 2025 Coaching Staff Updates". Ohio Athletics. December 20, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
"Ohio Bobcats 2025 College Football Transfer Portal". 247 Sports. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
"2025 Ohio Football Transfer Portal". on3.com. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
O'Leary, Richie (January 8, 2025). "Rutgers Football adds Four-Star Ohio Transfer DE Bradley Weaver". rivals. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
Lemons Debro, Cameron (January 8, 2025). "Ohio transfer Jacob Dennison finds fit with Wake Forest". 247 Sports. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
Kiefer, Grant (December 23, 2024). "Tracking Ohio Football transfer portal moves, who will be in Athens in 2025". WOUB. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
Helwick, Steve (December 31, 2024). "Former Ohio 1,000-yard rusher Sieh Bangura returns to Bobcats in transfer portal". Justle Belt. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
Londergan, Joe (January 27, 2025). "RECRUITING: Ohio Bobcats Land 3-Star SoCal QB Hype Grand". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
"Ohio 2025 Football Commits". 247 Sports. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
"Ohio 2025 Football Commits". Rivals. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
"Ohio Bobcats 2025 Player Commits". ESPN. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
"2025 Ohio Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
"Ohio Bobcats Schedule 2025". ESPN.
Rittenberg, Adam. "Ohio football promotes OC Brian Smith to permanent head coach". ESPN. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
"2025 Football Roster". Ohio Athletics. Retrieved January 22, 2025.

v t e Ohio Bobcats football
Venues	Peden Stadium (1929–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games Marshall: Battle for the Bell Miami: Battle of the Bricks
Culture & lore	Rufus "Stand Up and Cheer" Ohio University Marching 110
People	Head coaches NFL draftees Statistical leaders
Seasons	1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943–1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

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