A former Ohio State safety, Rob Harley comes to FIU after a successful two-year stint on the Michigan State Spartans coaching staff. Harley served as a graduate assistant on Mark Dantonio’s staff, working primarily with the linebackers and special teams in 2013. During the 2012 campaign, he worked with the offensive staff, primarily the skill players.
During his time with the Spartans, Harley and Michigan State won two bowl games, including the 2014 Rose Bowl over Stanford by a score of 24-20. Michigan State previously defeated Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship game to earn the outright 2013 conference title. The Spartans ranked second nationally in total defense, allowing an average of just 252.2 yards per contest and 13.2 points per game.
Prior to his time in East Lansing, Harley spent two seasons as a defensive backs/linebackers coach and assistant special teams coordinator at NCAA Division II Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio. The Panthers joined the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the 2010 and 2011 seasons marked the program’s first two at the Division II level. During his tenure there, Harley tutored a total of four Division II All-Ohio and four All-GLIAC selections.
A three-year lettwerwinner at Ohio State, Harley was a member of the Buckeyes’ 2002 National Championship squad as a strong safety. During his time on the field from 2003-05, Harley’s squads posted a 29-8 record under Head Coach Jim Tressel, including three-straight postseason bowl appearances (2003 Fiesta, 2004 Alamo and 2005 Fiesta). He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2006. He was pursuing a master’s degree in kinesiology while at Michigan State as a graduate assistant.
Harley’s ties to the Buckeye football program go much deeper, as his uncle, Chic Harley, was Ohio State’s first three-time All-American. Due largely to his popularity as a player, Ohio State outgrew its 20,000-seat stadium and inspired the construction of Ohio Stadium, nicknamed “The House that Harley Built.”
Harley worked as a broadcaster prior to pursuing a coaching career. He has served as a college football color commentator for ESPN and has worked as a sideline reporter for the Big Ten Network.
