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Ryan Day rounded out his 2024 Ohio State coaching staff by promoting James Laurinaitis to linebackers coach.
The three-time consensus All-American moves to the elevated position after spending last season as a graduate assistant. Another Buckeyes alum, Kirk Herbstreit, is excited for Laurinaitis.
The football broadcaster and College GameDay panelist responded to the news on social media.
“Congratulations bro,” Herbstreit wrote. “Gonna crush it!!
Laurinaitis concluded his Ohio State playing career with 375 tackles, 13 sacks, and nine interceptions. He played in two BCS Championship games under head coach Jim Tressel.
The two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year recorded 871 tackles in 117 NFL games for the St. Louis Rams and New Orleans Saints.
After beginning his coaching career at Notre Dame, Laurinaitis returned to his alma mater last year. The 37-year-old will oversee a linebacker unit losing cornerstone Tommy Eichenberg to the NFL.
Cody Simon will return for his fifth year as the reloaded Buckeyes pursue their first national championship in a decade. Day praised Laurinaitis when speaking to reporters during Friday’s Ohio High School Football Coaches’ Association clinic.
“He knows Ohio State. He loves Ohio State. He has credibility with the players, he has credibility with recruits because he’s done it,” Day said of Laurinaitis, courtesy of Eleven Warriors. “And not only did he do it, he did it at an unbelievable level. He did it in the NFL. But I’ve been impressed with the way he’s transitioned from being a player to a coach.”