Ohio State announced Tuesday that longtime NFL assistant Bill Davis, who officially joined the staff in December, will coach linebackers. Davis replaces longtime assistant Luke Fickell, who left Columbus to takeover Cincinnati's flailing program.

Davis spent the 2016 season working in quality control for the Buckeyes. He and Meyer met while playing for the University of Cincinnati. The Youngstown, Ohio, native lettered each season he played for the Bearcats from 1985-88. Davis served as the best man in Meyer's wedding.

Prior to Ohio State, Davis spent three seasons as defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. He has been a defensive coordinator for three different NFL franchises, first with the San Francisco 49ers from 2005-06, then the Arizona Cardinals from 2009-10 and most recently with the Eagles. In all, Davis has worked 24 years as an NFL assistant.

Davis will work under defensive coordinator Greg Schiano, who is due for a pay raise for assuming full coordinating duties after Fickell's departure.