University Of Findlay Head Coach Rob Keys Joining Special Teams Staff At OSU
University of Findlay head coach Rob Keys has resigned his position to join Ohio State’s staff in a special teams role. Keys led the Oilers, a Division II school in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), to a 75-42 record during his 11 years at the helm.
“I appreciate all of the players and staff that allowed us to have such great success over the past 11 seasons here at Findlay,” Keys said. “I feel that the program is in a better position today than it was the day I was hired. It’s hard to put into words what has been accomplished over the past 11 years and that could not have been done without everyone directly and indirectly involved with the program. There’s no doubt I will miss all the players that have made my time here so special and I wish them all future success. I’m excited about my new coaching opportunity at Ohio State.”
This most recent season saw the Oiler nab their first conference title since joining Division II in 1998. Keys was named G-MAC Coach of the Year and was also voted the NCAA Division II Region 3 Coach of the Year.
In his 11 years as head coach, Keys led the Oilers to two appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs (2017, 2021) and had 10 players earn NCAA Division II All-American honors.
“Rob has done an incredible job during his time here and has our football program competing at a championship level,” said Vice President of Student Affairs and Director of Athletics, Brandi Laurita. “His passion, energy, and love for the orange and black will be missed. At the same time, we want to wish him luck as he starts a new chapter of his life at Ohio State.”
Prior to becoming head coach at Findlay, he spent time as the school’s co-defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator, and also coached at his alma mater, West Virginia, and at Indiana State University, Slippery Rock University and the University of New Hampshire.