Coach -

At Ohio State, the standard is non-negotiable: play fast, play tough, play disciplined. That mindset doesn’t just apply to the Buckeyes’ defense—it’s ingrained across all three phases, especially on special teams. Rob Keys, who works with Ohio State’s coverage units, drives home a simple but uncompromising framework: Effort. Toughness. Technique.

Why it matters: special teams are the most eclectic units on the field—starters, backups, walk-ons all working in space where collisions are violent and field position swings games. Keys teaches that winning starts with effort (“if you don’t play hard, you shouldn’t play”), demands toughness (“some of those contacts aren’t contacts, they’re collisions”), and finishes with technique (“at the junction point, what wins is technique”).

Video: Speed to Power

That philosophy comes alive in the details—whether it’s stressing leverage with “keep the ball inside and in front,” teaching avoidance-to-speed-to-power transitions, or drilling players to finish in space. For coaches, the lesson is clear: special teams aren’t filler reps, they’re opportunities to demand habits that directly change outcomes.

And for Ohio State in 2025, those habits are essential. The defense remains one of the toughest in the country, their offense is young but explosive, and special teams are once again expected to be a tone-setter. 

By marrying effort, toughness, and technique, the Buckeyes aim to stay disciplined in the details while making another push for a Big Ten crown and beyond.

—Coach Grabowski & The CoachesClinic Team

Other Clinics from the Ohio State Staff:

Creating Culture and Teaching Methods - Matt Guerrieri