Ohio State Fires Special Teams Coordinator Parker Fleming, Hires Matt Guerrieri as Safeties Coach

The Ohio State Buckeyes have fired special teams coordinator Parker Fleming after an inconsistent 2023, while also bringing back a familiar face in safeties coach Matt Guerrieri

The Ohio State Buckeyes continue to make coaching changes to Ryan Day's staff as the college football offseason officially starts rolling.

Per a release from the school, the Buckeyes have fired special teams coordinator Parker Fleming after three seasons in the position. Fleming first came to Ohio State in 2018 as a quality control coach, before being promoted to the full-time coaching staff in 2021.

Fleming and the special teams had been a subject of scrutiny during his time in Columbus, but particularly in 2023, where the Buckeyes struggled mightily in that phase of the game from the beginning. 

This season, the Buckeyes were one of the worst teams in the nation in terms of punt returns, ranking No. 100 in the country in return yards and averaging less than five yards per return. Ohio State also ranked 65th in kick return yards, and 33rd in field goal kicking.

On a more positive note, the Buckeyes have found a replacement at safeties coach for the recently departed Perry Eliano, whose contract was not renewed at the end of the season.

Per the release, Ryan Day has tabbed former Indiana co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Matt Guerrieri as the Buckeyes' new safeties coach.

Ohio State Safeties Coach Perry Eliano Will Not Return Next Season

This is Guerrieri's second stint with the program after he was hired in 2022 as a senior advisor and analyst for Ohio State. 

Before that, Guerrieri spent 10 years with the Duke Blue Devils, starting as a graduate assistant in 2012, before being named the safeties coach in 2015, and eventually becoming the co-defensive coordinator from 2018-2021.