Buckeyes adding legendary linebacker James Laurinaitis to staff
COLUMBUS — Ohio State is bringing one of its legends back home to join the coaching staff.
The Buckeyes are adding former All-American linebacker and NFL veteran James Laurinaitis to their coaching staff, Ohio State announced on Friday afternoon. The move comes after Laurinaitis spent one year on the coaching staff under fellow former Buckeyes star Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame. He was the assistant linebackers coach and a graduate assistant for Freeman last season.
Ohio State will travel to South Bend to take on the Fighting Irish on Sept. 23.
“I am thrilled for our program and especially for our current and future Buckeyes who will benefit so much from having James on staff,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “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 Ohio State players of all time. He was a three-time consensus All-American (2006-2008), the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year twice and three-time first-team all-Big Ten. He won the Bronco Nagurski Trophy in 2006, the Butkus Award in 2007 and the Lott Trophy in 2008. He played in two national title games and two Fiesta Bowls. He was a second-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.
Laurinaitis played eight seasons in the NFL, appearing for the St. Louis Rams and New Orleans Saints. He finished his pro career with 869 career tackles, 16.5 sacks, 10 interceptions, 35 passes deflected and two forced fumbles.
After spending time on local sports radio in Columbus and doing color-commentary for the Big Ten Network, he decided to get into coaching, joining the Notre Dame staff last January.
But now, Laurinaitis is coming home to his alma mater. Ohio State has poached one of its greatest former players from the Fighting Irish.
The Buckeyes have hired James Laurinaitis to their coaching staff, an addition that feels like a long-time coming.
This is a breaking news story. Lettermen Row will have more information when it becomes available.
