COLUMBUS - The Arena Football League's Columbus Destroyers announced Wednesday that former Ohio State and NFL linebacker Chris Spielman will take over for Earle Bruce as the team's head coach and general manager.

Bruce, who led the Destroyers to a 6-10 record in their inaugural season, was Spielman's head coach at Ohio State.

Spielman served as the team's director of football operations last year.

Bruce will become the Destroyers vice president in that department and will be active in scouting and personnel evaluation.

Spielman expressed interest in the Ohio State job when Jim Tressel was hired in January of 2001 but has never been a head coach.

''Ever since I was young, I have had coaching in my blood,'' said Spielman, whose father was a prominent high school head coach.

''I know this is the right opportunity for me at this point in my life and look forward to the challenges that being a head coach in the Arena Football League will bring.''

Spielman lettered four years at Ohio State before the Detroit Lions took him in the second round of the 1988 NFL draft. He also played for the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns - making the Pro Bowl four times - before retiring in 1999 because of a neck injury.

Bruce, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, also coached Tampa, Iowa State, Northern Iowa and Colorado State in the college ranks, in addition to four Arena League teams.