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ATHENS, Ohio – John Hauser has been promoted to associate head coach and will remain as defensive coordinator, Head Coach Brian Smith announced Friday (Dec. 20). 

"John is an excellent coach and this promotion reflects the positive impact he makes on our program," head coach Brian Smith said. "Year after year he has taken our defense to the next level, and also truly cares for our student-athletes. I am grateful to have him on our staff and name him associate head coach." 

Hauser joined Ohio in 2022 after serving as the co-defensive coordinator for Miami (Ohio) for eight seasons. Hauser was promoted to defensive passing game coordinator in 2023 and defensive coordinator before the 2024 season.  

Under Hauser in 2024 during the regular season, Ohio led the Mid-American Conference and was fifth nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 94.3 yards per game. Ohio allowed just 17.46 points per game this season, which was 11th in the nation and also led the MAC. In total defense, Ohio was eighth in the nation at 295.2 yards per game allowed. 

In the 2024 MAC Championship, Hauser's defense allowed just three points in Ohio's 38-3 win over Miami, marking the first time a team had been held to no touchdowns in a MAC Championship game. 

2023 saw another strong defensive year for the Bobcats, with the fourth-best total defense in the nation. Notably, the defense held Power 5 opponent Iowa State to only seven points, Western Michigan to their lowest number of rushing yards in the season (79) and set the program record for the most turnovers forced in a bowl game (5) at the 2023 Myrtle Beach Bowl. Ohio won the Myrtle Beach Bowl, 41-21, over Georgia Southern.  

While at Miami, he coached Quinten Rollins, who finished his only season with the RedHawks with seven interceptions and was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year. He would later be drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. 

Before Miami, Hauser spent two seasons at The Citadel as the safeties coach. Hauser has also spent time at Wayne State (2009-12), Northern Illinois (2003-08) and Wittenberg (2002).  

Hauser was a student-athlete at Wittenberg where he was three-time all-conference and a Division III All-American in 2002.  

He and his wife, Seanna, have a daughter, McKenna, a son, John Jr. ("JJ") and twins, Jackson and Maria. 

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