Ohio State Buckeyes Tight Ends Coach Keenan Bailey Reportedly Finalist For East Carolina Offensive Coordinator Opening

Keenan Bailey could be headed eastbound for a promotion this offseason.

Ohio State could be looking for a new tight ends coach following the 2023 season. 

According to reports, Keenan Bailey has emerged as a potential candidate for the offensive coordinator vacancy at East Carolina. Per 247 Sports, Bailey met with Pirates coach Mike Houston to interview for the open position. 

Bailey is reportedly one of three finalists after Houston fired Donnie Kirkpatrick following ECU's season-finale loss to Tulsa. The Pirates finished 2-10 in 2023. 

ECU's offense struggled to find consistency behind quarterbacks Alex Flinn and Mason Garcia. The Pirates finished 123rd in passing (163.9 yards per game), 128th in scoring (17.3 points per game), and 130th in total offense (277.3 yards per game). ECU was also anemic on third down, converting 54 times on 178 attempts. 

A longtime staff member hired by Urban Meyer, Bailey arrived in Columbus in 2016. He began as an offensive intern (2016-18) and later was promoted to quality coach (2019-21). Buckeyes coach Ryan Day named Bailey the team's new tight ends coach after Kevin Wilson was hired as Tusla's head coach last offseason. 

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) celebrates the touchdown with tight end Cade Stover (8) and wide receiver Julian Fleming (4) during the first quarter against the Michigan State Spartans / Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Under Bailey's assistance, Cade Stover broke out, becoming Kyle McCord's second favorite target behind Marvin Harrison Jr. The senior notched 41 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns. 

Stover was named All-Big Ten first-team tight end and a finalist for the John Mackey Award, given out to the nation's top tight end. His 576 receiving yards are the third-most for a tight end in program history.

No. 6 Ohio State (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten) is currently awaiting the results of its bowl game and still has an outside chance of making the College Football Playoff. Coaches, however, are beginning to receive interest from other programs for open positions.

Ohio State 5-Star DL Commit Justin Scott Flips to Miami

According to The Athletic, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has become a hot candidate to take over for Mike Elko at Duke following his departure for Texas A&M. Knowles, who helped the Buckeyes finish with the No. 2 scoring defense, served as the Blue Devils' defensive coordinator from 2010-17 under David Cutcliffe.