COLUMBUS, Ohio – A phone call from the White House was one of the things Buckeye head football coach Urban Meyer took care of in the wake of his team’s win at the national championship game Monday.
President Barack Obama congratulated Meyer and the Buckeyes on winning the first college football playoff.
“The President made note of the underclassmen who stepped up in the game despite injury and adversity. The President said he looks forward to welcoming the team to the White House to celebrate their championship,” White House officials said a in a release.
The Department of Athletics has organized a public celebration for the team for Jan. 24 at 11:00 a.m. at Ohio Stadium. Admission will be free.
The Ohio State coaches, student-athletes and staff will be recognized for the program’s eighth national championship, the university said.
Additional details are being worked out and will be announced at a later date.
Meyer says Ed Warinner has been promoted to offensive coordinator and Tim Beck, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Nebraska the past four years, has joined the staff as co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach.
Warinner, co-offensive coordinator the past three years in addition to his offensive line duties, has been instrumental to offensive units that have set school and Big Ten records.
Meyer confirmed the Beck hiring after it was reported earlier this week, before Ohio State won the national championship with a 42-20 victory over Oregon on Monday night.
Beck, an Ohio native, has a 26-year coaching resume that includes 16 seasons in the college ranks and another 10 seasons in high school coaching, including nine years as a high school head coach.