2001 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

The 2001 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 2001–2002. It marked their first season under new head coach Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes compiled a 7–5 record, capped by a 26–20 victory over their fierce rival the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor in the regular season finale. The Buckeyes went on to play in the 2002 Outback Bowl in Tampa, Florida, where they lost 31–28 to the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Preseason
The 2001 Ohio State Buckeyes football season marked a transition from former head coach John Cooper to new head coach Jim Tressel. Tressel was beginning his first season as head coach at the Division 1-A level as the 22nd head coach of the Buckeyes. He came from Youngstown State University where he led the Penguins to four national championships at the Division 1-AA level. The Buckeyes finished the 2000 season with an 8–4 record and Coach Cooper was later fired on January 2, 2001.

Prior to Cooper's firing, the Buckeyes were ranked 23rd in the AP Poll, losing in the 2001 Outback Bowl to the South Carolina Gamecocks by a score of 24–7.

Coaching staff

 * Jim Tressel - Head Coach (1st year)
 * Jim Bollman - Offensive Line/OC (1st year)
 * Ken Conaster - Speical Teams (1st year)
 * Joe Daniels - Quarterbacks (1st year)
 * Mark Dantonio - Defensive Coordinator (1st year)
 * Jim Heacock - Defensive Line (7th year)
 * Mark Snyder - Defensive Linebackers (1st year)
 * Tim Spencer - Running Backs (8th year)
 * Mel Tucker - Defensive Backs (1st year)


 * Bob Tucker - Director of Football Operations (7th year)
 * Dick Tressel - Associate Director of Football Operations (1st year)
 * Bill Conley - Recruiting Coordinator (14th year)