James Laurinaitis was a three-time All-American linebacker for the Ohio State Buckeyes between 2006 and 2008. And now, it looks like he’ll be helping the Buckeyes in a different capacity – as a full-time assistant coach.
On Thursday afternoon, Ohio State announced that James Laurinaitis would be joining the team’s coaching staff as the team’s full-time linebackers coach as the former star player earned a promotion from his previous role as a graduate assistant.
Laurinaitis joins the staff after the team parted ways with special teams coordinator Parker Fleming earlier this offseason. He will take over coaching the linebackers in a full-time capacity after defensive coordinator Jim Knowles largely handled that responsibility during his first two years at Ohio State.
3️⃣3️⃣ is staying home as our Linebackers coach 📍@JLaurinaitis55
#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/y3xaXGn5wL— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) February 15, 2024
During his playing days with the Buckeyes, Laurinaitis was one of the most dominant defensive players in the country and established himself as one of the best linebackers in program history. He won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy in 2006, given to the top defensive player in the country, and won the Butkus Award in 2007, given to college football’s top linebacker.
Laurinaitis went on to play eight seasons in the NFL with the Rams and the New Orleans Saints before beginning his coaching career.
