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ATHENS, Ohio— The Ohio football program promoted three coaches as the team prepares for the 2023 season, as announced by head coach Tim Albin today (June 21). John Hauser has been promoted to the Defensive Passing Game Coordinator and Safeties Coach, Brian Metz is the Recruiting Coordinator and Tight Ends Coach and Brian Smith is now the Associate Head Coach, Passing Game Coordinator and Running Backs Coach.
 
"As we continue to look for ways to improve our program by utilizing the strength of our staff. I'm excited to announce the promotions of Brian Smith to Associate Head Coach and Passing Game Coordinator and Running Backs Coach, John Hauser to Passing Game Coordinator for Defense and Safeties Coach and Brian Metz to Recruiting Coordinator and Tight Ends Coach." 
 
Hauser is entering his second season with the Bobcats. The Bobcats finished the 2022 season with 12 sacks, four of which were snagged by safeties. Tariq Drake recorded two interceptions in the Bobcats' 38-14 victory over the Bowling Green Falcons (Nov. 22), solidifying their position as MAC East Champions. 
 
"Coach Hauser brought over 15 years of coaching expertise to Ohio University when he first joined our staff last year," said Albin. "His ability to recruit, develop and coach defensive backs made an immediate impact on our team, and I'm looking forward to his continued contribution to our program as the passing game coordinator for our defensive staff."
 
Metz was an offensive graduate assistant for the Bobcats from 2016-18, returning to Ohio in 2020. Throughout his tenure in Athens, Metz has mentored several highly productive Bobcats, including but not limited to tight ends Tyler Foster and Ryan Luehrman. Foster recorded four receiving touchdowns in 2022, highlighted by the game-winning overtime grab to seal the Barstool Arizona Bowl win over Wyoming. Athens-native Luehrman holds the program record for starts as a tight end (31) and has the second-most tight end touchdowns, finishing his career with seven. 
 
"Brian Metz has been a member of our staff for nearly a decade. Throughout his time with the program, he's relentlessly worked to find talented prospects and build quality relationships with high school coaches and players," said Albin. "He uses his knowledge as an Ohio University alumnus to help our student-athletes transition into the program. We will continue to recruit high character people and high caliber players with Coach Metz as our recruiting coordinator."
 
Smith joined the Bobcats prior to the 2022 season. Ohio finished the 2022 season with 2,007 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns. Under Smith's guidance, Sieh Bangura finished fourth in the conference with 1,078 yards on 222 attempts in 12 games. The Bowie, Md. native's breakout performance earned him MAC Offensive Player of the Week honors twice as well as MAC Freshman of the Year, Third Team All-MAC and CFN All-Freshman Honorable Mention accolades.
 
"Brian Smith has over 20 years of experience and in his first season with Ohio we saw the Bobcats' passing attack go from 178 yards per game to 278 per game. While working with the Bobcats running backs, we saw Sieh Bangura become only the second MAC Newcomer of the Year in program history."
 
The Bobcats are set to open the 2023 season on Saturday, Aug. 26 when they take on the San Diego State Aztecs. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on FS1 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, Calif. Homecoming is set for Saturday, Oct. 7 against the Kent State Golden Flashes. 
 
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