Ohio State legend joining Buckeyes coaching staff for 2023 season

James Laurinaitis is returning to Columbus to join Ryan Day’s Ohio State coaching staff.

The Ohio State defense needs to get a little tougher, so the Buckeyes are bringing in the son of Road Warrior Animal James Laurinaitis to show they mean serious business.

For real though, the Buckeyes’ legendary linebacker is returning to Columbus as a defensive graduate assistant on Ryan Day’s staff. The three-time All-American will serve as the assistant linebackers coach, replacing Koy McFarland who followed Kevin Wilson to Tulsa this offseason. Laurinaitis comes over from Notre Dame, where he helped Marcus Freeman out at Notre Dame.

Ohio State released a statement on Friday about Laurinaitis coming back to the football program.

Day is ecstatic over getting Laurinaitis back in the Buckeyes building. I mean, why wouldn’t he be?

"“I am thrilled for our program and especially for our current and future Buckeyes who will benefit so much from having James on staff,” said Day. “James is a terrific young man with wisdom as a Buckeye and experience as an eight-year NFL veteran. He is going to be a very important part of our program going forward.”"

Laurinaitis is one of the most decorated players in Ohio State history with so many accolades.

Ohio State legend James Laurinaitis returns to Buckeyes as a defensive assistant

The three-time All-American, Butkus and Nagurski award winner spent eight seasons in the NFL, seven with the then-St. Louis Rams and one with the 2016 New Orleans Saints. After hanging up the spikes, Laurinaitis went into broadcasting, doing work at 97.1 The Fan in Columbus and calling games for the Big Ten Network. He left the booth to help his former teammate out in South Bend.

So not only do you have a football star and Ohio State University graduate back in the building, but one who is an effective communicator that bleeds scarlet and grey. Though the Buckeyes may lose a ton of talent to the 2023 NFL Draft, one would think Ohio State is still on the shortlist of teams who can realistically win the final four-team College Football Playoff. They almost beat Georgia…

Though it may be a few years out, so many Ohio State alums have gone onto become outstanding head coaches. Freeman is well on his way at Notre Dame. Mike Vrabel has had tremendous success in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans. Luke Fickell took Cincinnati to the playoff two years ago and now leads Wisconsin. One would think offensive coordinator Brian Hartline has got next.

If all works out, Laurinaitis may be the next star coach coming down the pipe with Buckeyes roots.

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