The last time we saw the Bobcats play, they systematically destroyed the Georgia Southern Eagles in the Myrtle Beach Bowl 41-21 and in the process earned their fifth-straight bowl win.
To add some context of how special that of a streak that is, the MAC’s 12 schools have won 11 total bowls games as a unit during those seasons— with Ohio accounting for five of those wins.
The win over the Eagles also cemented the first back-to-back 10-win seasons in program history, following up a 2022 season which saw them claim victory in the Arizona Bowl thanks to a 30-27 OT thriller over the Wyoming Cowboys.
Yet as last season ended, Ohio’s coaches have been very busy preparing for the 2024 season amidst a sea of roster change which saw at least 39 player signings among the early season signees and portal transfers, spanning from December 2023 to June 2024.
247Sports shows at least 25 Bobcats from last year hit the transfer portal from before the bowl game continuing through May of 2024. Additionally, there was the inevitable graduation/eligibility losses which added to the roster turnover.
With the roster work in the rear view mirror though the Bobcats turn to fall camp and getting all the established and new players on the same page.
With that we take a look in a bit more detail with what is new for the 2024 ‘Cats starting with coaching changes.
Major turnover on the sideline
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Defensively, the biggest change is John Hauser’s promotion from safeties coach to defensive coordinator, as he is set to replace the departing Spence Nowinsky, who headed to Memphis to coach the defensive line and take on duties as co–defensive coordinator.
Hauser will have big shoes to fill in that Nowinsky had the ‘Cats playing some of the best defense in the nation last year, ranking sixth in scoring defense by allowing just 15.8 points per game. However, Hauser should be ready for the new role as an experienced coach in his own right who worked with Nowinsky for years as a Miami RedHawk before joining the Bobcats.
A notable addition defensively for 2024 is Kurt Mattix who joined the ‘Cats to coach the defensive ends. If that name sounds familiar, Mattix was the defensive coordinator for San Diego State last season in the week zero matchup where the Aztecs held the Bobcats to just 13 points.
Offensively, Ohio returns the 2023 staff largely intact with some key responsibility changes and a new wide receivers coach.
Over the offseason, running backs coach and passing game coordinator Brian Smith was anointed offensive coordinator and will handle the play calling duties. Smith has served as an offensive coordinator at multiple schools, including Washington State Hawai’i, employing run-and-shoot concepts at those stops. Expect Smith to continue to supplement what the Bobcats do offensively with his experiences.
2023 co-offensive coordinator Scott Isphording remains QB coach and picks up Smith’s passing game coordinator duties, while Allen Rudolph will focus on coaching the offensive line in 2024.
Ohio added veteran Andre Allen to coach wideouts, replacing long-time Bobcat coach Dwayne Dixon. Allen is also an experienced coach of about 30 years wearing many hats including recievers coach, passing game coordinator, and offensive coordinator. Allen and Smith have some similar west coast coaching backgrounds, working together at both Washington State and Hawai’i.
How will The offense respond to the changes?
David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports
The Bobcats march towards 2024 with major offensive changes including the getting a new starting group integrated to form a cohesive unit.
The Bobcats have a lot of work to do, returning just two starters and some regular contributors. Gone are players like former MAC MVP QB Kurtis Rourke (Indiana transfer) and star WRs Sam Wiglusz (graduation) and Jacoby Jones (UCF transfer).
No group from the 2023 offense was spared from significant change, losing two former/current starters each at quarterback, running back and tight end, and three at wide receiver and offensive line.
While offensively productivity is difficult to predict due to all the changes, the offense can still field a potent unit. We’ll take a more detailed look at the situation in our upcoming skill positions and offensive line articles.
Where does the defense stand after a stellar 2023?
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
The ‘Cats defense had a great year in 2023 by just about any measure but will need to address some significant changes to approach that productivity in 2024.
In addition to Nowinsky moving to Memphis, they lost significant personnel from each unit starting with the dynamic duo at linebacker Bryce Houston (graduation) and Keye Thompson (transfer to Pitt).
However, the Bobcats return a group of starters and contributors from the 2023 squad which should provide a proven base upon which to build for 2024.
Also, hitting the transfer portal, Ohio signed a number of experienced veterans and promising young players at linebacker and defensive line who should make an impact in 2024. (We’ll hit on that more in our future defense previews.)
Special teams status
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
The specialists at kicker and punter are largely the same as 2023 with the addition this year of competition in Minnesota transfer kicker Jacob Lewis, who played with Ball State before transferring to the Golden Gophers.
The biggest question for 2024 perhaps is how the significant roster change will impact the coverage units and return specialists. The ‘Cats will need new punt and kickoff returners and to replace some significant coverage unit staples.
We will look at that issue and more as we move through our season preview series. Right around the corner, we start the ball rolling with our upcoming skill positions preview.