Ryan Day is promoting former Ohio State All-American James Laurinaitis to linebackers coach

USATSI

Former Ohio State star James Laurinaitis has been promoted to linebackers coach to round out the Buckeyes’ coaching staff for 2024, coach Ryan Day announced Thursday. Laurinaitis was a graduate a*sistant with the program last season after serving a similar role at Notre Dame in 2022.

The former three-time All-American played eight seasons in the NFL following his four-year playing career with the Buckeyes under Jim Tressel from 2005 to 2008. Coaching linebackers would be a natural step for Laurinaitis, considering he One of the best players to ever play the position at Ohio State.

After playing sparingly as a freshman, he racked up 366 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and nine interceptions over his final three seasons with the program. He was twice named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and also received the Butkus Award and Bronco Nagurski Trophy before being selected in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

Laurinaitis, 37, became involved in the media after retiring from the NFL following the 2016 season. In 2022, he joined former Ohio State teammate Marcus Freeman’s backup staff at Notre Dame. After one year there, he jumped to Ohio State.

Day also announced a contract extension for defensive coordinator Jim Knowles through the 2026 season. Other notes from the Ohio State staff include:

  • Tim Walton has been promoted to a*sistant coach in addition to his role as secondary coach. His contract was extended until 2026.
  • Assistant head coach/defensive line coach Larry Johnson has been awarded a new contract through the 2025 season.
  • Coach Keenan Bailey has extended his contract through the 2025 season.
  • Tony Johnson has joined the team as a senior a**lyst.

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