Mike Jacobs' journey from Ohio State offensive lineman to Toledo's head coach is a testament to the power of mentorship and the impact of shared experiences. His story is not just about football; it's about the legacy of family, the value of learning from the best, and the importance of community support. As Jacobs reflects on his path, he offers a unique perspective on the coaching world, one that is both insightful and inspiring.
A Family Affair
Jacobs' story begins with his father, also named Mike Jacobs, who was the offensive line coach at Toledo when he was born in 1979. This early exposure to football and coaching set the stage for Jacobs' future. Despite his father's move to West Virginia, Jacobs returned to Northwest Ohio as a second-grader after his parents' divorce. Growing up in Maumee and graduating from Maumee High School, he developed a deep connection to his hometown and its football culture.
Learning from the Best
Jacobs' time at Ohio State was transformative. As an offensive lineman and long snapper, he learned not only the technical aspects of the game but also the art of coaching. His father's role as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, combined with the mentorship of John Cooper and Jim Tressel, provided Jacobs with a unique inside perspective. Cooper, a Hall of Famer, taught him how to manage a roster, while Tressel, another Hall of Famer, showed him the importance of connecting with players and everyone in the program.
"I had a very unique and inside perspective because three of my five years, the first three years I was on the roster – ’97, ’98, ’99 – my dad was my position coach as well as the offensive coordinator," Jacobs said. "But leading up to that, you know, I got to be around those guys. And the curtain was back a little bit. And John Cooper's a Hall of Famer. I watched my dad be around Don Nehlen for 15 years at West Virginia, he's in the Hall of Fame. And then I got to see Coach Coop do it and recruit at such a high level. And then, albeit short, but my last year was spent with Jim Tressel, another Hall of Famer."
Building Connections
Jacobs' ability to connect with people is a key strength. He credits Tressel with teaching him how to make strong connections with players and staff, regardless of their role. This skill has served him well in his coaching career, as he has built strong relationships with his players and colleagues.
"There's still nobody better. He just instantly draws everybody in that he remembers. His ability to recall very specific details about everyone, and how he treated everyone in the building, whether they were walk-ons, whether they were stars, whether they were the janitor or the coordinator, he just connected with people and was able to make strong connections, and I think that's more important than maybe anything now," Jacobs said.
A Growing Brotherhood
Jacobs is part of a growing fraternity of former Ohio State players who have become FBS head coaches. This group includes Luke Fickell, Marcus Freeman, Eddie George, Brian Hartline, Rob Harley, and Alex Golesh. Their shared roots as Buckeyes have created a strong bond, and Jacobs counts Fickell and Golesh as two of his closest connections.
"Luke Fickell has always been very good to me," Jacobs said. "Luke has always been somebody that's been willing to pick up the phone, and whether I've been looking for young assistant coaches or just needed to talk to somebody, Luke's always been very good to me. And then I speak to Alex Golesh a ton. … He and I just had a bunch of very similar and common friends as we were coming up (in the coaching ranks), even though we were never at Ohio State simultaneously. And I've always respected Alex and how he's worked really hard to get to where he's at."
A Rivalry and Respect
One of the most intriguing aspects of Jacobs' new role is his rivalry with Eddie George, who is the head coach at Bowling Green. While Jacobs and George never played together at Ohio State, Jacobs has a lot of respect for George's achievements. He sees their rivalry as a testament to the competitive spirit of the game and the shared pride of Buckeyes.
"I respect the fact that he took a Tennessee State team that hadn't won a ton and turned it into a really consistent winner and a playoff team in a very competitive FCS conference, and he's doing some things at Bowling Green to get them back on the right track," Jacobs said. "I think it's cool to have two Buckeyes leading two very prominent programs, two people that understand certainly what a significant rivalry means."
A Legacy of Success
Jacobs' journey is a reminder of the impact that Ohio State football has had on the coaching ranks. His success is not just personal; it is a reflection of the program's ability to develop coaches who can make a difference. As he takes on his new role at Toledo, Jacobs knows that his past as a Buckeye carries weight, and he is eager to build on the legacy of success that has come before him.
"I think the combination of being an Ohio State guy, a ton of familiarity with my father, who was well-respected amongst the high school ranks in the state, and then my grandfather was a high school coach for 50 years here, he's in the Ohio High School Hall of Fame," Jacobs said. "And so there's a lot of moments for us and a lot of people, and it's just like anything, you gotta do a great job with the relationship piece with those high school coaches."
In the end, Jacobs' story is a testament to the power of mentorship, the value of shared experiences, and the importance of community support. As he takes on his new role at Toledo, he is poised to make a significant impact on the program and the community, just as his father and grandfather did before him.
