Dom Capers
With the Buckeyes: A native of Cambridge, Ohio, who played at Mount Union, Capers served as defensive backs coach on Earle Bruce's staff in 1982 and '83.
In the pros: Capers jumped to pro football after coaching at OSU, eventually becoming the Steelers' defensive coordinator in 1992. He was hired as coach by Carolina in 1995 and had the Panthers in the NFC championship game in 1996. He later coached the expansion Houston Texans. His overall eight-year head coaching record was 48-80. in eight seasons.
The skinny: Now in his 24th NFL season, as defensive coordinator for the Packers, Capers remains a valued defensive mind. His offensive prowess, however, was often lacking, especially in Houston.
Lovie Smith
With the Buckeyes: With one year (1995) coaching defensive backs for John Cooper, OSU was Smith's last collegiate stop before heading to the NFL.
In the pros: Smith put in five years as Tampa Bay's linebackers coach, then coordinated the St. Louis Rams defense for three years before becoming the Bears coach in 2004.
The skinny: The Bears lost to the Indianapolis Colts in the Super Bowl after the 2006 season, Smith's third in charge. But he has been a sub-.500 coach with no playoff appearances over the past three seasons and seems to working could be on thin ice.
Not to be forgotten
Don McCafferty: (played at OSU 1941-42) A tackle on Paul Brown's '42 national championship team, McCafferty in 1970 became the first coach to win an NFL title in his first year as a head coach when the Baltimore Colts won Super Bowl V. He was fired two years later for refusing to bench Johnny Unitas. and he McCafferty died of a heart attack in 1974 after one season coaching Detroit.
Active-duty troops
Bobby April: (coached at OSU 1991) Special teams coach, Buffalo Bills
Joe Bugel: (coached at OSU 1974) Offensive line coach, Washington Redskins
Larry Coyer: (coached at OSU 1991-92) Defensive coordinator, Indianapolis Colts
Jeff Davidson: (played at OSU 1986-89) Offensive coordinator, Carolina Panthers
Alex Gibbs: (coached at OSU 1975-78) Assistant head coach/offense, Houston Texans
Gene Huey: (coached at OSU 1988-91) Running backs coach, Indianapolis Colts
Fred Pagac: (played at OSU 1971-73, coached 1982-2000) Linebackers coach, Minnesota Vikings
Tim Spencer: (played at OSU 1979-82, coached 1994-2003) Running backs coach, Chicago Bears
Jerry Sullivan: (coached at OSU 1991) Receivers coach, San Francisco 49ers
Mel Tucker: (coached at OSU 2001-05) Defensive coordinator, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bobby Turner: (coached at OSU 1989-90) Running backs coach, Denver Broncos