Is Tom Herman Ohio State's New Quarterbacks Coach?

From a rumor that seems to have originated on the excellent Ohio State forum Buckeye Planet, Urban Meyer may have found his quarterbacks coach. Tom Herman, current Iowa State offensive coordinator, is the choice to replace Nick Siciliano. At only 35 years old, Herman is seen as a rising star in the coaching profession, which fits with Meyer's stated goal of finding the best college football coaches, young and old, in America.

Herman was hired at Iowa State in 2009 and has been their offensive coordinator for three seasons now. Iowa State's official website attributes the Cyclones' recent, and considerable, offensive improvement almost entirely to Herman:

The statistics and accomplishments speak for themselves. Iowa State quarterback Austen Arnaud ended his career as the Cyclones No. 2 all-time leading passer with 6,777 yards and 42 touchdown passes. His 8,044 yards of total offense is the second-best total in school history. Running back Alexander Robinson finished his Iowa State career as the Cyclones' fourth all-time leading rusher with 3,309 yards. Such are the fruits of the Iowa State spread offense employed by offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tom Herman in the first two years of the Paul Rhoads era.

The improvement continued last season as Iowa State upped its scoring average. The Cyclone offense put up big numbers in 2010. Iowa State's 52 points in a win over Texas Tech marked the most points put up by the Cyclones against a conference opponent in 38 years. Herman's offense spreads the wealth. Eleven Iowa Staters caught passes last season.

Iowa State installed Herman's spread attack for the 2009 campaign, its first under head coach Paul Rhoads. Herman, the architect of one of the nation's most prolific offenses at Rice in 2008, brought new life to ISU's offense as its coordinator and quarterbacks coach. It was a successful transition as Iowa State was effective on the ground and through the air in Herman's first Cyclone season.

If true, Herman will be the first member hired outside of the coaches being retained, and should be considered a definite home run. That Meyer was able to convince--with Ohio State's purse, of course--an offensive coordinator at another BCS program to accept a demotion to quarterbacks coach is an impressive accomplishment.