The University of Houston has named Tom Herman its head coach, reaching a five-year, $6.75-million deal with the Ohio State assistant Tuesday afternoon.
Herman, who has served as Urban Meyer’s co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for three seasons, will remain with the fourth-ranked Buckeyes through the College Football Playoff.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for my family and I to come back to Houston and lead one of the top programs in the country,” Herman said in released statement.
Added Meyer: "Tom has done an excellent job for us. Our staff and I have enjoyed working with him. We wish him all the best in his new position as head coach at the University of Houston. He has been great for our program. He came in and meshed immediately with the coaches and the players. Houston is not only getting an excellent coach, but an excellent person and family man."
Herman, a rising star in the coaching industry who won the 2014 Broyles Award (given to the nation's top assistant), and ushered in a new offensive era in Columbus. Brought in by Meyer to help implement an up-temp style of play, the Buckeyes averaged 45.2 points per game this season and 507.6 yards per game.
Perhaps most of all, they did so 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.
"Throughout this process, Tom Herman’s name continued to rise above the rest of the field. He is an extremely gifted football coach and his aptitude to lead and connect with his student-athletes is special," Houston Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mack Rhoades said.
"Tom’s ability to recruit at a high level is directly related to his genuine personality and how well he relates with all types of people. His dynamic leadership skills and experience and respect of high school coaches throughout the state of Texas will serve our program well. Our expectations for the program continue to increase and Tom has a detailed plan for taking our program to the next level."
