A former Ohio State Buckeyes great joined the team’s coaching staff on Friday.
Former linebacker James Laurinaitis, a three-time consensus All-American in Columbus, will coach on the Buckeyes’ staff in 2023.
“Back to the Brotherhood,” the Buckeyes’ football Twitter account posted on Friday afternoon to great fanfare.
Back to the Brotherhood 👀🌰 pic.twitter.com/ZC0TeWS8tC
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 27, 2023
“James Laurinaitis, one of the most decorated linebackers in Ohio State history during a four-year – 2005-08 – career as a Buckeye, is returning to his alma mater as a member of the coaching staff,” a release on the hire read. Head coach Ryan Day named Laurinaitis as a graduate assistant. He will help coach the linebackers, as you might expect.
While at Ohio State, Laurinaitis played like one of the best linebackers in program history. He racked up several awards, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Butkus Award, the Lott Trophy, and the Jack Lambert Trophy twice.
The Big Ten named the celebrated linebacker Defensive Player of the Year twice. They also named him a First Team All-Big Ten selection three times to go with his three All-American selections. According to the release, Laurinaitis is one of eight three-time All-Americans in Buckeyes history.
Laurinaitis’ #33 is one of the most iconic jersey numbers in Buckeyes history and 21st-century college football.
Ohio State hopes to get back on track in 2023 after two years of losing to rival Michigan.
