Ohio State cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson is headed for Arkansas.
Arkansas athletics spokesman Zack Higbee confirmed to The Lantern at around 7 p.m. Sunday that the former Buckeyes’ coach has been hired as the Razorbacks’ new assistant head coach. Johnson will also serve as Arkansas’ linebackers coach.
“Taver is an extremely enthusiastic and devoted coach,” Razorbacks coach Bobby Petrino said in an Arkansas release. “He has a strong work ethic, is a great teacher of the game and is skillful at relating to his players. During his time at Ohio State, he became familiar with the principles Coach (Paul) Haynes has worked to incorporate here. He has also been a part of a program with a culture of consistently winning and will be instrumental in preparing our players to compete for championships.”
OSU athletic spokesman Jerry Emig did not confirm Johnson’s departure from OSU, saying, “Not for me to confirm on Taver.”
Johnson spent five seasons at Ohio Stadium and was retained by new head coach Urban Meyer as the Buckeyes’ new coaching staff was assembled. Meyer introduced the new staff during Sunday’s OSU men’s basketball game and Johnson was not present.
From 2008-11, three OSU cornerbacks coached by Johnson were selected in the NFL Draft.
