Forget interim tag; Ohio names Hauser as next head coach
ATHENS, Ohio – John Hauser has been promoted to head football coach, Ohio University Director of Athletics Slade Larscheid announced Friday (Dec. 26). Hauser is the 31st head coach in program history.
"We are thrilled to announce John Hauser as our next head football coach. John is committed to developing our team while continuing to build on the strong foundation. The success is evident since he arrived on campus in 2022," Larscheid said. "Over the past four seasons, Ohio football has won 40 games, and John is a key piece in all that goes into our winning program. Additionally, he's a proven leader, and his focus will be on the student-athlete experience, both on and off the field. We look forward to John and his family making an immediate impact for Ohio University and Bobcat football."
"I am grateful . . .
"We are thrilled to announce John Hauser as our next head football coach. John is committed to developing our team while continuing to build on the strong foundation. The success is evident since he arrived on campus in 2022," Larscheid said. "Over the past four seasons, Ohio football has won 40 games, and John is a key piece in all that goes into our winning program. Additionally, he's a proven leader, and his focus will be on the student-athlete experience, both on and off the field. We look forward to John and his family making an immediate impact for Ohio University and Bobcat football."
"I am grateful . . .
. . . to President Lori Gonzalez and Director of Athletics Slade Larscheid for the opportunity to lead this team and for their belief in what we can accomplish together. I'd like to thank our players, alumni and fans for the support they have shown this program and for the pride they bring to Ohio University," Hauser said. "This is a special place for my family and me, and we are proud to be part of a community that cares so deeply about Ohio University and its football program. I look forward to hitting the ground running with the team as we look to build on the program's tradition of success in 2026 and beyond."
Hauser, named the interim head coach on Dec. 1, has served as associate head coach since the 2024 StaffDNA Cure Bowl and was previously promoted to defensive passing game coordinator in 2023 and defensive coordinator before the 2024 season. He joined Ohio in 2022 as the safeties coach after serving as the co-defensive coordinator for Miami (Ohio) for eight seasons.
Hauser led the Bobcats to their seventh-straight bowl win with a 17-10 victory over the UNLV Rebels in the 2025 Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl (Dec. 23). This victory marked Ohio's 40th win in four seasons; previously, Ohio's best four-year span was 2009-12, with the Bobcats winning 36 games. The 2025 regular season was highlighted by a 6-0 finish at home, extending the home game winning streak to 13 games. In the home opener against West Virginia (Sept. 6), Ohio's defense held the Mountaineers to just 10 points.
In the 2024 regular season, Hauser's defense led the Mid-American Conference and was fifth nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 94.3 yards per game. Ohio allowed just 17.46 points per game this season, which was 11th in the nation and also led the MAC. In total defense, Ohio was eighth in the nation at 295.2 yards per game allowed. In the 2024 MAC Championship, the Bobcats allowed just three points in Ohio's 38-3 win over Miami, marking the first time a team had been held to no touchdowns in a MAC Championship game.
The 2023 campaign saw another strong defensive year for the Bobcats, with the fourth-best total defense in the nation. Notably, the defense held Power 5 opponent Iowa State to only seven points, Western Michigan to their lowest number of rushing yards in the season (79) and set the program record for the most turnovers forced in a bowl game (5) at the 2023 Myrtle Beach Bowl. Ohio won the Myrtle Beach Bowl, 41-21, over Georgia Southern.
While at Miami, Hauser coached Quinten Rollins, who finished his only season with the RedHawks with seven interceptions and was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year. He would later be drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.
Before Miami, Hauser spent two seasons at The Citadel as the safeties coach. Hauser has also spent time at Wayne State (2009-12), helping lead the team to an NCAA Division II title game appearance in 2011. Prior to Wayne State, Hauser was a graduate assistant at Northern Illinois before being promoted to defensive backs coach in 2006. There, he coached under MAC Hall of Fame coach Joe Novak.
Hauser was a student-athlete at Wittenberg, playing for head coach Joe Fincham. Prior to landing his first assistant coaching job at his alma mater, Hauser was a three-time all-conference and a Division III All-American in 2002.
Hauser, named the interim head coach on Dec. 1, has served as associate head coach since the 2024 StaffDNA Cure Bowl and was previously promoted to defensive passing game coordinator in 2023 and defensive coordinator before the 2024 season. He joined Ohio in 2022 as the safeties coach after serving as the co-defensive coordinator for Miami (Ohio) for eight seasons.
Hauser led the Bobcats to their seventh-straight bowl win with a 17-10 victory over the UNLV Rebels in the 2025 Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl (Dec. 23). This victory marked Ohio's 40th win in four seasons; previously, Ohio's best four-year span was 2009-12, with the Bobcats winning 36 games. The 2025 regular season was highlighted by a 6-0 finish at home, extending the home game winning streak to 13 games. In the home opener against West Virginia (Sept. 6), Ohio's defense held the Mountaineers to just 10 points.
In the 2024 regular season, Hauser's defense led the Mid-American Conference and was fifth nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 94.3 yards per game. Ohio allowed just 17.46 points per game this season, which was 11th in the nation and also led the MAC. In total defense, Ohio was eighth in the nation at 295.2 yards per game allowed. In the 2024 MAC Championship, the Bobcats allowed just three points in Ohio's 38-3 win over Miami, marking the first time a team had been held to no touchdowns in a MAC Championship game.
The 2023 campaign saw another strong defensive year for the Bobcats, with the fourth-best total defense in the nation. Notably, the defense held Power 5 opponent Iowa State to only seven points, Western Michigan to their lowest number of rushing yards in the season (79) and set the program record for the most turnovers forced in a bowl game (5) at the 2023 Myrtle Beach Bowl. Ohio won the Myrtle Beach Bowl, 41-21, over Georgia Southern.
While at Miami, Hauser coached Quinten Rollins, who finished his only season with the RedHawks with seven interceptions and was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year. He would later be drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.
Before Miami, Hauser spent two seasons at The Citadel as the safeties coach. Hauser has also spent time at Wayne State (2009-12), helping lead the team to an NCAA Division II title game appearance in 2011. Prior to Wayne State, Hauser was a graduate assistant at Northern Illinois before being promoted to defensive backs coach in 2006. There, he coached under MAC Hall of Fame coach Joe Novak.
Hauser was a student-athlete at Wittenberg, playing for head coach Joe Fincham. Prior to landing his first assistant coaching job at his alma mater, Hauser was a three-time all-conference and a Division III All-American in 2002.
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