There have been rumblings from other schools that the waiver gives Ohio State a competitive advantage.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State sought and received a waiver from the NCAA that allows it to have two football coaching staffs at the same time: One under Luke Fickell to coach the Buckeyes in their upcoming bowl game and another led by incoming coach Urban Meyer that only handles recruiting.

Athletic director Gene Smith called the split staffs "normal in some transitions."

The Buckeyes play Florida in the Gator Bowl on Jan. 2. But Meyer and any new staffers are not permitted to coach any players and can only recruit. The NCAA waiver specifies that no more than 10 coaches -- and no more than seven at any one time -- may be involved in recruiting.

There have been rumblings from other schools that the waiver gives Ohio State a competitive advantage.