Eric Boggs
Ohio State is reinforcing its offensive coaching staff with the promotion of tight ends coach Keenan Bailey to co-offensive coordinator. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Bailey will continue coaching the Buckeyes’ tight ends while assuming an expanded role in offensive coordination alongside Brian Hartline. Entering his third season as tight ends coach and his tenth year overall with the Buckeyes, Bailey brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of Ohio State’s offensive system.
Since joining Ohio State as an offensive intern in 2016, Bailey has worked extensively with every offensive position group, making him an invaluable asset to the coaching staff. Despite not holding a full-time assistant coaching position before his promotion to tight ends coach in 2023, he has long been recognized as a key contributor to the Buckeyes’ offensive success and recruiting efforts. Head coach Ryan Day himself has praised Bailey’s dedication, calling him “probably the most unsung hero on our staff, the hardest worker in the building” during the national championship celebration at Ohio Stadium last month.
Bailey’s promotion marks another strategic move by Ohio State to solidify its offensive coaching staff for the 2025 season. He joins Hartline, who has been elevated to full offensive coordinator, and new quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler, previously an offensive analyst for the Buckeyes. The only new addition to the offensive coaching staff is offensive line coach and run game coordinator Tyler Bowen, while running backs coach Carlos Locklyn returns for his second season.
Bailey’s journey through the Ohio State coaching ranks is a testament to his dedication and versatility. A Notre Dame graduate, he started with the Buckeyes as an offensive intern working with the running backs in 2016. Over the next several years, he gained experience with the wide receivers, quarterbacks, and offensive line before earning a role as a special assistant to the head coach in 2022. His promotion to tight ends coach in 2023 completed his exposure to every offensive position group, making him uniquely suited for his new role as co-offensive coordinator.
In his first season as tight ends coach, Bailey helped develop a unit that played a crucial role in Ohio State’s offensive attack. Cade Stover tied for second on the team with 41 receptions, while Gee Scott Jr. ranked fourth with 27 grabs during the Buckeyes’ national championship run. His ability to develop talent and integrate the tight ends into the offense has been instrumental in Ohio State’s continued success.
As Bailey steps into his new role, he will collaborate closely with Hartline and Bowen to refine the Buckeyes’ offensive game plan as they gear up for another championship push. With Ohio State’s offensive staff now nearly set, the focus shifts to the defensive side, where the Buckeyes are still searching for a new defensive coordinator following Jim Knowles’ departure. Head coach Ryan Day has indicated that finalizing the 2025 coaching staff remains a top priority.
With a coaching staff that blends continuity, internal development, and strategic new additions, Ohio State is positioning itself for sustained success as it looks to defend its national championship in 2025. Bailey’s promotion is yet another sign that the Buckeyes are committed to maintaining their dominance on the national stage.
