Former Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer mourns painful passing of Tim Kight

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05/05/2024 21:00

Hardcore Ohio State football fans may be familiar with former assistant Tim Kight, who was known for his training videos on organizational success. Kight was a part of Urban Meyer’s staff, and the two went 83-9 during their time working together.

Unfortunately, Kight passed away Saturday night after battling stage four cancer, via his son Brian’s X account.

“My dad, Tim Kight, died peacefully in his sleep last night,” Brian said. “He was so many things, to so many people, to so many of you. Whether or not you got to meet him, you felt him. He was that kind of presence. But to me he was just Dad. And that was everything. I love you, Dad.”

Meyer also lamented Kight’s passing, reflecting on their time together via X.

“I met Tim Kight in Spring 2013,” Meyer said. “His impact on me personally, on our staff, and on our team was profound. He was a passionate competitor and loved helping people get better. A great leader, teacher, mentor, and friend. God’s Mercy and Grace are on the Kight family.”

What made Kight such an integral part of the Buckeye program?

Tim Kight changed Ohio State football with his motivational speaking

Kight was a motivational speaker for decades before joining Meyer’s staff. Afterward, he continued to develop his firm Focus3, via Premiere Speakers Bureau.

“Tim Kight is Founder and Chairman of Focus 3, a firm whose mission is to help companies around the world align the power of leadership, culture, and behavior to achieve exceptional results,” said his bio. “A dynamic communicator, Tim focuses on the critical factors that distinguish great organizations from average organizations. He delivers a powerful message on the behavior skills that accelerate execution.”

The website featured this hour-long speech where Kight dished on his thoughts on leadership.

“Notably, his work with the Ohio State Football program has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, and in the New York Times best-seller Above the Line,” the bio continued. “Mr. Kight is the author of several high impact training programs: Lead Now, The Power of Culture, Attitude Matters, and The R Factor.”

Several other X users were affected by Kight’s work, via Tvizi Machlin of The Spun.

“Brian, my heart breaks for you and your family,” one user wrote, via Machlin. “Your Father was so stoic and truly led from his heart and words through out the ordeal. His legacy and energy is boundless and never ending. My condolences.”

“This one hurts,” said another user. “Only knew TK for a couple years but the wisdom and things he helped me with will always live with me. I will use those things and carry them into my future. Whether it's football, family, business. Much love TK! Legend!”

Kight was the type of person who flew under the radar but was still vital to the operation around him. Across seven years with Ohio State football, Kight and Meyer won three Big Ten titles and a National Championship. It goes to show that helping athlete’s mental development is just as important as helping them physically.

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