2026 Ohio Bobcats football team

2026 Ohio Bobcats football
ConferenceMid-American Conference
Record0–0 (0–0 MAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorScott Isphording (5th season)
Defensive coordinatorKurt Mattix (1st season)
Home stadiumPeden Stadium
2026 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Akron   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Ball State   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Bowling Green   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Buffalo   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Central Michigan   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Eastern Michigan   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Kent State   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Miami (OH)   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Ohio   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Sacramento State*   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Toledo   0 – 0     0 – 0  
UMass   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Western Michigan   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Championship: December 5, 2026
  • * – Sacramento State is ineligible for postseason play due to FCS-to-FBS transition rules
As of March 23, 2026
Rankings from AP poll

The 2026 Ohio Bobcats football team will represent Ohio University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2026 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bobcats will be led by John Hauser in his first year as the head coach.[1][2] The Bobcats play home games at Peden Stadium, located in Athens, Ohio.[3]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResult
September 5TBAat Nebraska*
TBA –
September 12TBAJacksonville State*
TBA –
September 19TBAat South Alabama*
TBA –
September 26TBAStonehill*
  • Peden Stadium
  • Athens, OH
TBA –

Game summaries

at Nebraska

See also: 2026 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team
Ohio Bobcats (0–0) at Nebraska Cornhuskers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Bobcats 0
Cornhuskers 0

at Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE

  • Date: September 5
  • Game time: TBA EDT
  • TV: TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics OHIO NEB
First downs
Total yards – –
Rushing yards – –
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int –– ––
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Ohio Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Nebraska Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Jacksonville State

Jacksonville State Gamecocks (–) at Ohio Bobcats (–) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Gamecocks 0
Bobcats 0

at Peden Stadium • Athens, Ohio

  • Date: September 12
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV: TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics JVST OHIO
First downs
Total yards – –
Rushing yards – –
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int –– ––
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Jacksonville State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Ohio Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at South Alabama

See also: 2026 South Alabama Jaguars football team
Ohio Bobcats (–) at South Alabama Jaguars (–) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Bobcats 0
Jaguars 0

at Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL

  • Date: September 19
  • Game time: TBA EDT
  • TV: TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics OHIO USA
First downs
Total yards – –
Rushing yards – –
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int –– ––
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Ohio Passing
Rushing
Receiving
South Alabama Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Stonehill

Stonehill Skyhawks (–) at Ohio Bobcats (–) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Skyhawks 0
Bobcats 0

at Peden Stadium • Athens, Ohio

  • Date: September 26
  • Game time: TBA
  • TV: TBA
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics STO OHIO
First downs
Total yards – –
Rushing yards – –
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int –– ––
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Stonehill Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Ohio Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Personnel

Coaching staff

Since December 26, 2025, the head coach of the Ohio Bobcats has been John Hauser. He heads a staff of eleven assistant coaches, four graduate assistants, a director of football operations, and numerous other support staff.[6]

Name Position Years at Ohio Alma mater
John Hauser Head Coach 2022 Wittenberg University 2002
Lamar Conard Assistant Head Coach/Running backs 2026 Purdue University 2000
Scott Isphording Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks 2014 Hanover College 1994
Kurt Mattix Defensive Coordinator 2026 Valparaiso University 1999
Blair Cavanaugh Special Teams Coordinator 2025 Portland State University 2016
DeAngelo Smith Defensive Passing Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks/Director of Player Development 2017 University of Cincinnati 2008
Tremayne Scott Running Game Coordinator/Defensive Tackles 2018 Ohio University 2012
Jeff Phelps Pass Rush Specialist/Defensive Ends 2025 Ball State University 1999
Chris Woods Linebackers 2025 Davidson College 1990
Danny Langsdorf Wide Receivers 2026 Linfield University 1995
Kyle Obly Passing Game Coordinator/Tight Ends 2025 Ohio University 2022
Ron Crook Offensive Line 2026 West Liberty State University 1991
Joe Tresey Defensive Assistant Coach / Director of Staff 2024 Ohio State University 1982
Jeremiah Covington Assistant athletic director for football operations 2022 Wingate University 2011
Brandon Pahl Graduate assistant – Offensive Line
Ethan Gaspar Graduate assistant – Quarterbacks
Eddie Faulkner Graduate assistant – Secondary
Alvin Floyd Assistant Coach - Running Backs 2023 Ohio University 2020

Support staff

Name Position Years at Ohio Alma mater
Sarah Newgarde Director of athletics administration and football communications 2021 Ohio University
Jerry Lin Staff Athletic trainer (football, swim & dive) 2022 University of South Carolina
Caleb Moon Assistant director of equipment services
Thomas Turnbaugh Director of video and recruiting services 2018 Ohio University
Savannah Banks Football Operations Assistant 2026 Ohio University
Shaun Cook General Manager 2026 University of Tennessee
Addie Parde On-Campus Recruiting Coordinator 2026 University of Nebraska
Elaine Goodfellow Administrative assistant
Jessica Arquette Ohio athletics sports dietitian Bowling Green State University
Joseph Benish Staff Athletic Trainer (Football/Track) 2023 Penn State University
Tyler Shumate Director of Strength and Conditioning 2024 University of Virginia
Noah Spielman Associate Director of Football Strength and Conditioning 2025
Chalon Jackson Football Strength and Conditioning – Graduate Assistant 2025
Theodus Riggold Football Strength and Conditioning – Graduate Assistant 2025
Dr. Sergio Ulloa Team Orthopedic Physician Ohio University
Dr. Katherine Guran Head Team Physician Northeast Ohio Medical University
James Odenthal Staff Physical Therapist 2016 Ohio University

Coaching staff changes

Departures

Name Position New school New position
Brian Smith Head coach [7]
Tavita Thompson Offensive Line Coach Cal Poly Tight Ends Coach
Andre Allen Wide receivers

Additions

Name Position Previous school Previous position
Kurt Mattix Defensive Coordinator[8] Charlotte Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach
Alvin Floyd Running Backs Coach Ohio Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach
Ron Crook Offensive Line Coach[9] Virginia Tech Offensive Line Coach
Lamar Conard Assistant Head Coach / Running Backs Coach[10] Purdue Running Backs Coach
Danny Langsdorf Offensive Quality Coach Oregon State Wide Receivers Coach

Internal changes

Name New Position Previous position
John Hauser Head Coach[11] Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
Kyle Olby Passing game coordinator/Tight Ends[12] Tight ends
Joe Tresey Defensive Assistant Coach / Director of Staff Director of High School Relations

Transfers

Positions key
Offense Defense Special teams
  1. ^ Sometimes referred to as an edge rusher (EDGE)
  2. ^ Includes nose tackle (NT)
  3. ^ Includes middle linebacker (MLB or MIKE), outside linebacker (OLB, WILL, SAM), and off-ball linebacker
  4. ^ Includes free safety (FS) and strong safety (SS)
  5. ^ Also known as a placekicker (PK)
  6. ^ Includes kickoff and punt returners

Outgoing

Player Position Destination
Davion Weatherspoon IOL Arkansas
Alfred Jordan Jr. WR
David Dellenbach K
Jalen Thomeson S San Diego State
Anas Luqman Edge UConn
Jay Crable Edge Florida Atlantic
Jordon Jones OT Troy
Mason Williams TE Ohio State
Nick Segarra TE Furman
Rodney Harris II WR Oklahoma State
Chase Hendricks WR California
Danny Novickas Edge
Ibrahim Kebe OT UTSA
Callum Wither QB Maryland

Incoming

Player Position Transferred from
Matt Vezza QB New Hampshire
Trumain Lawson OT LIU
DJ James-Hamilton S Elon
Will Hryszko K Kent State
Isaiah Street Edge Western Michigan
Jake Furtney TE Illinois
Cody Raymond Edge Wisconsin
Kevin Fay LS Gardner-Webb
Preston Bowman WR Kentucky
Ian VerSteeg WR Wake Forest
Tyler Gillison Edge Michigan State
Riley Palmeter TE Marian (IN)
Sandro Malicevic OT Eastern Illinois
Andrew Metzger TE Kansas State
Barry Dillon CB Incarnate Word
KJ Sejour CB Chattanooga
Victor Rosa RB UConn
CJ Dawson IOL Gardner-Webb
Eli Thompson CB Holy Cross
Cassius Hulbert DL Tiffin

[13][14]

Recruiting class

College recruiting information
Name Hometown School Height Weight Commit date
Brandon Jenkins
ATH 		Arlington Heights, IL John Hersey 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg)  
Recruit ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    (75)
Kaden Page
WR 		Wapakoneta, OH Wapakoneta 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg)  
Recruit ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    (76)
Malachi Taylor
CB 		Pickerington, OH Pickerington North 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg)  
Recruit ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    (77)
Danny Fortson Jr.
IOL 		Cincinnati, OH Princeton 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 260 lb (120 kg)  
Recruit ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    
Levi Davis
QB 		Lewis Center, OH Olentangy Orange 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 175 lb (79 kg)  
Recruit ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    (76)
Kindall Brown
CB 		Cleveland, OH Maple Heights 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 175 lb (79 kg)  
Recruit ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    (74)
Colton Crosley
IOL 		Cuyahoga Falls, OH Walsh Jesuit 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 275 lb (125 kg)  
Recruit ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    (74)
Austin Adkins
DL 		Strongsville, OH Strongsville 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 250 lb (110 kg)  
Recruit ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    (74)
Mike Montgomery
OT 		West Branch, IA West Branch 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 240 lb (110 kg)  
Recruit ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    (74)
James Brewer
S 		Stow, OH Walsh Jesuit 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg)  
Recruit ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    (75)
Zach Hackleman
WR 		Lakewood, OH St. Edward 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg)  
Recruit ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    
Nate Hunt-Heller
DL 		Tallmadge, OH Tallmadge 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 240 lb (110 kg)  
Recruit ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    (73)
Ryan Miller
S 		Pickerington, OH Pickerington North 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg)  
Recruit ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    (73)
James Kelly
WR 		Trussville, AL Hewitt-Trussville 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 210 lb (95 kg)  
Recruit ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    (72)
Troy Stiggers
EDGE 		Stone Mountain, GA Stephenson 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 230 lb (100 kg)  
Recruit ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    (73)
Job Maverick
IOL 		Westfield, IN Westfield 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 280 lb (130 kg)  
Recruit ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:    
Victor Rosa
RB 		Bristol, CT Bristol Central 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 206 lb (93 kg)  
Recruit ratings: Rivals:    
Preston Bowman
WR 		Pickerington, OH Pickerington North 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 204 lb (93 kg)  
Recruit ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:    
Jake Furtney
TE 		Saint Charles, IL St Charles North 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 235 lb (107 kg)  
Recruit ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:    


Overall recruit ranking:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Rivals commits". Rivals. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  • "ESPN commits". ESPN. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  • "2026 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  • "247Sports commits". 247Sports. Retrieved January 31, 2026.

[15][16][17]

References

  1. ^ "John Hauser". Sports Reference.
  2. ^ "John Hauser". Ohio Athletics. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  3. ^ "Peden Stadium". Ohio University Athletics. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  4. ^ "2026 Ohio Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  5. ^ "Ohio Bobcats Schedule 2026". ESPN.
  6. ^ McDaniel, Mike (December 26, 2025). "Ohio to Promote Defensive Coordinator John Hauser to Head Coach". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
  7. ^ "Ohio University Head Football Coach Brian Smith Relieved of His Duties". Ohio University. 2025-12-17. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
  8. ^ "Ohio football names Mattix defensive coordinator". Athens Messenger. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  9. ^ Samuels, Doug (February 22, 2026). "Ohio reportedly filling offensive opening with Power Four coaching veteran". Football Scoop. Ohio Athletics. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  10. ^ "Ohio Football Names Lamar Conard Assistant Head Coach and Running Backs Coach". Ohio Athletics. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  11. ^ "John Hauser Promoted to Associate Head Coach". Ohio Athletics. December 20, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  12. ^ "Ohio Football Announces 2026 Coaching Staff Updates". Ohio Athletics. January 22, 2026. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  13. ^ "Ohio Bobcats 2026 College Football Transfer Portal". 247 Sports. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  14. ^ "2026 Ohio Football Transfer Portal". on3.com. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  15. ^ "Ohio 2026 Football Commits". 247 Sports. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  16. ^ "Ohio 2026 Football Commits". On3. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  17. ^ "Ohio Bobcats 2026 Player Commits". ESPN. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
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