Schiano says he will stay at Ohio State

COLUMBUS — Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano has decided to stay in Columbus, after all.

Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano will remain with the Buckeyes next season.

Despite a reported move to take the same position with the New England Patriots, Schiano said he will remain with Ohio State.

“In general, I can say after the season there were opportunities both in college football and in the National Football League, but at the end of the day, my family, myself, we love it here,” he said Wednesday. “This has become home. You make those decisions as a coach and keep moving.”

Tennessee was close to hiring Schiano after the 2017 regular season, but an uprising from fans and donors led the Volunteers to back out of hiring him at the last minute. He remained with OSU through its trip to the Cotton Bowl and continued to recruit through January.

Schiano helped the Buckeyes sign their highest-rated recruit, Nicholas Petit-Frere, a five-star offensive tackle from Florida.

The Buckeyes were a top-10 defense in the country during both of Schiano’s previous two seasons.

Ohio State one assistant coach this offseason, as cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs accepted a job with the Tennessee Titans, joining former Buckeye Mike Vrabel, whom the Titans hired as their head coach.

Because of a new rule that allows programs to hire a 10th coach, the Buckeyes also hired Alex Grinch from Washington State to serve as defensive coordinator this offseason.

Contact Nicholas Piotrowicz at npiotrowicz@theblade.com, 419-724-6110 or on Twitter @NickPiotrowicz