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ATHENS, Ohio – Ron Crook has been named the Ohio football program's offensive line coach, as announced by Head Coach John Hauser on Monday (March 16).
 
"Ron is going to be an asset to our football team in so many ways. He's coached dozens of all-conference players and been a part of a multitude of championship-winning teams," Hauser said. "Being from this area, he also has tremendous relationships with high school coaches and a deep understanding of the region, which will be invaluable for recruiting and building strong connections throughout the state. I am confident our players will feel his positive impact immediately. I'm very excited to welcome Ron and his family to Athens."
 
Crook's career has spanned three decades and includes stops at Virginia Tech, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Stanford and Harvard. Notably, Crook has coached in 11 bowl games, including a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance with Cincinnati in the 2021 Cotton Bowl Classic. He comes to Ohio by way of Nevada, where he served as the Wolf Pack's offensive analyst for the duration of the 2025 season. 
 
"I am really excited to join Coach Hauser and the Ohio University football program," Crook said. "It's a tremendous opportunity to coach with a great staff and a team that knows how to win.I can't thank Coach Hauser and Ohio University enough." 
 
From 2023-24, Crook served as Virginia Tech's offensive line coach. Under Crook's direction, Tech's line paved the way for the nation's 22^nd-ranked rushing offense (189.8 ypg) in 2023. Tackle Xavier Chaplin earned Third-Team Freshman All- American recognition from College Football News in 2023 as well. 
 
Crook spent the 2022 season as South Dakota's special teams coordinator and tight ends coach after serving as Cincinnati's offensive line coach from 2017-21. In 2021, Crook coached a group of offensive linemen that had three All-AAC First Team members in Dylan O'Quinn, Jake Renfro and Lorenz Metz. The Bearcats had one of the best offensive line rooms in the nation and helped lead a Cincinnati offense that broke single-season school records in touchdowns scored (70) and points scored (510) through 13 games.

As a group, the 2021 offensive line paved the way for an offense that averaged 6.93 yards per play in 2021, which ranked sixth nationally. The Bearcats also led the AAC in yards per rush (5.4). They allowed only 1.54 sacks per game, which ranked second in the conference. More impressively, the Bearcats ranked second in the nation in tackles for loss allowed with only 3.23 per game (42 total). 

Crook came to Cincinnati after spending four seasons coaching the offensive line at WVU (2013-16). During his time with the Mountaineers, Crook coached six All-Big 12 players and three NFL players. West Virginia (10-3) finished the 2016 season with its ninth 10-win season in school history and had a 7-2 mark in Big 12 Conference action, tying for second place.

Senior center Tyler Orlosky was named to the Senior CLASS All-America First Team, the first such award winner in WVU history. Orlosky, who was also named to the Associated Press, Football Writers' Association, USA Today, CBSSports.com, SBNation, Athlon Sports and SI.com All-American teams, played in 50 career games and started 42 for the Mountaineers, all at center. He is a two-time team captain, one of three finalists for the 2016 Rimington Trophy and was a unanimous first-team All-Big 12 selection. He was a three-time Academic All-Big 12 selection.

Prior to WVU, Crook was the tight ends and tackles coach at Stanford from 2011-12. There, he helped lead the Cardinals to a two-year record of 23-4, the 2012 Pac-12 Conference Championship and an appearance in two straight BCS Bowls, including a 20-14 win over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 2013.
 
Crook was key in the development of unanimous All-American tight end and two-time Mackey Award Finalist Zach Ertz, who ranked first in 2012 among FBS tight ends with 837 receiving yards and 66 receptions (both marks are Stanford single-season tight end records). Ertz and Levine Toilolo were named to the Mackey Award Midseason Watch List, the only pair of teammates in the nation to receive that distinction. Either Ertz or Toilolo led Stanford in receiving in 10-of-13 games in 2012

In 2011, Stanford's tight end trio of Coby Fleener, Ertz and Toilolo were widely considered the best unit in the nation, as the three players combined to catch 86 passes for 1,356 yards and 20 touchdowns. The trio accounted for more than half of Stanford's touchdown receptions (38) during an 11-2 campaign. Fleener, who led the Cardinal with 10 touchdown grabs, was named a Sporting News All-American in addition to earning first team all-conference honors, while Toilolo was an honorable mention all-conference selection. Fleener was drafted in the second round by the Indianapolis Colts in 2012, finishing with 26 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns.

Prior to his arrival at Stanford, Crook spent eight seasons (2003-10) as offensive line coach at Harvard. The Crimson's offensive line helped pave the way for Clifton Dawson (2003-06) to set the Ivy League's all-time career rushing record with 4,841 yards, breaking the former mark held by Cornell's Ed Marinaro. Eight of Crook's players earned first-team All-Ivy honors a combined 11 times, including tackle James Williams, who was a three-time All-America and first-team All-Ivy selection.

In 2009, four of Harvard's linemen earned all-league honors while Treavor Scales was named the Ivy League's Rookie of the Year. In addition, Crook tutored Frank Fernandez, who was selected to play in the 2007 Hula Bowl.

Prior to his appointment at Harvard, Crook served on the coaching staff at Illinois in 2002, where he assisted with the offensive line. He worked closely with All-Big Ten players Dave Diehl and 2001 All-America Tony Pashos, who were both selected in the 2003 NFL Draft.

As a graduate assistant coach at Cincinnati in 1993, Crook helped the Bearcats to an 8-3 finish.

Crook also served as the offensive line coach and offensive coordinator at West Liberty State, helping the Hilltoppers to the 2000 WVIAC title. A decade earlier, Crook broke into the collegiate coaching ranks at West Liberty, where he served as a student assistant, working primarily with the tight ends. He also served as the offensive line coach for three seasons (1990-92).

Crook was part of coaching staffs at West Virginia Tech (1999), Glenville State (1997-98) and Clarion College (1994-96). He was part of NCAA Division II playoff teams at Glenville State and Clarion.

After his playing days ended at West Liberty State, he served as the Hilltoppers' offensive line coach for three seasons. He earned his bachelor's degree in physical education from WLU in 1991. 

Crook and his wife, Stacy have three children - Andrew, Cian and Kenley.
 
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