OU football coach extends contract through 2026 season
Ohio University football head coach Tim Albin has signed a contract extension through the 2026 season, Ohio Athletics announced recently.
"I'm grateful and humbled to sign this extension as head coach of our football team," said Albin. "I want to thank Director of Athletics Julie Cromer and President Sherman for their unwavering belief in the vision and direction of the program over the last two years. Brooke and I have made Athens our home for 18 years, and we're so excited to remain members of this amazing Ohio University community."
In his second year at the helm, Albin led the team to one of the best bouncebacks in college football; highlighted by a bowl victory, the Bobcats finished 10-4 overall and 7-1 against Mid-American Conference opponents. The 2022 season marks the Bobcats' first 10-win season since 2011 and the fourth in program history.
"Coach Albin and his staff have done an outstanding job resetting the momentum of our football program," Cromer said. "Without a doubt, Tim earned this commitment from our University. He's a leader not only for our football program, but also for our campus and the Athens community."
The Bobcats finished the 2022 season as the No. 1 passing offense in the MAC, establishing themselves a threat early in the season with a single-game program-best 692 offensive yards.
The same game, redshirt junior quarterback Kurtis Rourke broke the program record for passing yards in a single game (527). The Bobcats wrapped up their record-setting performance with a 30-27 overtime victory against Wyoming in the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl (Dec. 30).
"As head coach, Tim Albin has been instrumental in turning around our football program. In just one year's time, we recovered from a losing season to being named MAC East Champions in 2022," President Sherman said. "He is extremely deserving of this recognition, which is competitive with his MAC peers.
The team's performance earned Albin MAC Coach of the Year honors, Rourke Offensive Player of the Year honors as well as the Vern Smith Leadership Award and redshirt freshman running back Sieh Bangura MAC Freshman of the Year accolades. In total, the team was recognized 13 times in the 2022 All-MAC and Specialty Awards.
Additionally, Rourke was named the 2022 Cornish Trophy Runner Up, while Bangura and redshirt freshman cornerback Torrie Cox., Jr. earned 2022 College Football News Freshman All-American accolades.
"Words can't describe the delight, love and joy Coach Albin brings to everyone he meets. He is one of the best men I've ever met. He cares for us as students and young men, not only as football players. Coach Albin pushes us because he sees more out of us than we do out of ourselves," said redshirt senior linebacker and captain Bryce Houston. "Our team would do anything for him because we know he does everything to help us succeed. I will forever treasure my relationship with Coach Albin; he has helped me and my brothers grow into better men which will impact us for the rest of our lives."
Rourke echoed Houston's sentiment, saying, "I am so happy for Coach Albin; he absolutely deserves it. Coach Albin is an amazing player-coach and has inspired this team to buy into his values and beliefs. I'm glad he's going to be a Bobcat for years to come."
Off the field, the Bobcats continued to impress, placing 19 student-athletes on the Academic All-MAC team.Ohio also had seven student-athletes named to the 2022 Academic All-District® Football Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators. Both Rourke and graduate student wide receiver Sam Wiglusz earned spots on the 2022 Academic All-America® Second Team.
"I could not be happier knowing Coach Albin will be at Ohio years to come," said Houston. "I know he will bring continued success to this program and help mold more men and change the lives of many more people around him."
The Bobcats are set to open the 2023 season on Saturday, Aug. 26 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, Calif when they take on the San Diego State Aztecs. Homecoming is set for Saturday, Oct. 7 against the Kent State Golden Flashes. Television platforms, along with game times, will be announced at a later date.