Ohio State makes a major change to its coaching staff

Ohio State offensive line coach Greg Studrawa will not return to the program, according to On3’s Austin Ward. He spent six seasons with the Buckeyes, coaching a group which included future NFL players Josh Myers, Pat Elflein and Billy Price, amongst others.

In addition to eight NFL draft picks, he helped develop one of college football’s most talented offensive lines in 2021, with Nicholas Petit-Frere and Thayer Munford among the top potential NFL prospects in 2022.

Greg Studrawa had previously dealt with health issues that required back surgery earlier in Ohio State’s season, and it was thought that he might elect to retire following the win last weekend over Utah, per Ward. Ohio State has not publicly confirmed the exact details of the parting, but one way or another it is happening.

More shakeup on Ohio State staff

The subtraction of Greg Studrawa comes during a pivotal offseason for Ryan Day’s Ohio State staff, with multiple moves on both sides of the ball. Ohio State was also able to grab one of the hottest defensive coordinators on the market in Oklahoma State’s Jim Knowles. The Bryant Award finalist will be replacing Kerry Coombs after four seasons in Stillwater.

Knowles is a Cornell graduate who has made stops at his alma mater, Duke, Ole Miss, Western Michigan, and most recently Oklahoma State.

Former Duke head coach David Cutcliffe has long been a believer in the Buckeye’s new defensive coordinator, working with him at Ole Miss and Duke. With the SEC program, he served as the linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator.

Knowles’ contract details with Ohio State have been released, securing a three-year contract the school released on Friday. The defensive coordinator will be making an average of $1.9 million a year or $5.7 million in total. The deal makes him the highest paid assistant coach in program history.

Since he took over in 2018, the Cowboys’ defenses have steadily improved under Knowles. During his first season in charge, they gave up an average of 32.5 points per game. This season, Knowles’ unit also has the best scoring defense in the Big 12 at 16.8 points per game and nearly got them a conference championship.

Schools such as Penn State were also looking to hire Knowles, along with Oklahoma State attempting to give him a contract extension. However, Ohio State came out on top, getting a much-needed rebrand on the defensive end for head coach Ryan Day.