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December 23, 2003

Cincinnati hires Ohio State Def. Coordinator Dantonio

Cincinnati has hired Ohio State Defensive coordinator Mark Dantonio as its new head coach. The soon-to-be Big East school let Rick Minter go after a 5-7 season.

There was more pressure on Minter to produce a consistent winner when Cincinnati accepted an invitation last month to leave Conference USA for the higher-profile Big East.

"I saw this as a great opportunity, because it's a program that's going into the Big East," Dantonio said at a news conference

Athletic director Bob Goin said Dantonio has great character and integrity.

"He's one who knows how to win. He's worked with winners, and he's been under pressure at the highest level," he said.

Dantonio won't have to wait long to face his former school and longtime friend and boss, Jim Tressel. The Bearcats open the 2004 season at Ohio State on Sept. 4.

The Buckeyes spent most of the past season as the No. 1 defense against the run in all of Division I-A. Tressel said Dantonio will coach the Ohio State defense when the team plays Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 3.

"We hate to lose him, but I'm extremely proud he has achieved this position and wish him the very best," Tressel said.

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Comments:

  1. Fanblogs Author John Ludwig said:

    posted on December 24, 2003 1:14 PM — 64.3.228.130 — link — abuse?



    I feared this happening, this is a huge loss for OSU. Dantonio has obviously been central to OSU's success during the Tressel era.

  2. Fanblogs Author Lloyd Severence said:

    posted on December 25, 2003 9:24 PM — 68.66.53.70 — link — abuse?



    Yes you are right, but Tressel is the one who hired Dantonio. So I feel he will find someone ready to replace him at a big school like OSU.

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