According to a report by FOX Sports' Bruce Feldman, Ohio State offensive coordinator will be named the next head coach at Houston.
BREAKING #OhioState OC Tom Herman is expected to become the new head coach at #Houston, source told @FoxSports.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 15, 2014Herman, who had been rumored as a candidate for multiple other head coaching jobs, was the winner of this year's Broyles Award, given to the nation's top assistant and FootballScoop.com's Offensive Coordinator of the Year.
Herman replaces Tony Levine, who was fired after going 21-17 in three seasons. The Cougars finished 7-5 this year.
In three seasons as Ohio State's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Herman has helped the offense become one of the best in the country. The Buckeyes averaged 45.2 points per game this season and 507.6 yards per game despite playing without star quarterback Braxton Miller, who suffered a season-ending injury days before the season opener.
Herman molded his replacement, redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett, into a Heisman Trophy candidate who guided the Buckeyes to an 11-1 record and set a school-record of 45 total touchdowns. When Barrett broke his ankle against Michigan, Herman had one week to prepare third-string quarterback Cardale Jones, who threw three touchdowns in a 59-0 Big Ten Championship Game win against Wisconsin.
Herman's also been key in recruiting quarterbacks like Barrett and current 2015 commitments in Torrance Gibson and Joe Burrow.
Really sad but happy for Coach Herman you are going to do big things! #Buckeyes for LIFE!
— Torrance Gibson (@quick_tg6) December 15, 2014
Summoned to Columbus by head coach Urban Meyer in early 2012 to help usher in an uptempo and dynamic style of play, Herman was Iowa State's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2009-2011.
Herman started as Texas as an offensive graduate assistant in 1999. He became Sam Houston State's wide receivers coach two years later before serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks at Texas State (2005-06) and Rice (2007-08).
At this point, it remains unclear if Herman will still coach the Buckeyes against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
According to FootballScoop.com, Herman is expected to hire Major Applewhite and first-year James Madison co-offensive coordinator (and former Ohio State graduate assistant) Drew Mehringer to his staff.
