Oregon Ducks Coach Identified as Front-Runner for Ohio State Defensive Coordinator Job

According to On3's Pete Nakos, Oregon Ducks co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Chris Hampton is being considered one of the top candidates to take over as the new DC in Columbus. 

Hampton has been in Eugene for two seasons, and he generated a lot of buzz last offseason from ACC and SEC schools to take over as the defensive coordinator. He turned both of those jobs down, but is now generating more buzz from the defending national champions to fill their new vacancy. 

Oregon’s defense finished the season ranked No. 15 in the nation allowing 315.9 yards per game, and had one of the best defensive years in program history. 

Should Ohio State lure Hampton away from Eugene, it would be the second year in a row that the Buckeyes took a coach from Oregon. Last year, after running backs coach Tony Olford left Columbus to coach RBs for the Michigan Wolverines, the Buckeyes hired Ducks running backs coach Carlos Locklyn. 

Oregon replaced Locklyn with former Arizona State WR coach Rashaad Samples. 

Hampton obviously isn't the only other candidate for the job, as guys like Iowa Hawkeyes DC Phil Parker, Arkansas defensive coordinator Travis Williams, and Ohio State safeties coach Matt Guerrieri, among others. 

With the departure of Knowles taking place on Sunday, the coaching search will last at least a few days, so we will look to learn more as we can over the next week.