James Laurinaitis, a former Ohio State All-American, has been promoted to linebackers coach by Ryan Day.

Head coach Ryan Day revealed on Thursday that former Ohio State standout linebacker James Laurinaitis has been promoted to linebackers coach, completing the Buckeyes’ 2024 coaching team. After serving in a comparable capacity for Notre Dame in 2022, Laurinaitis was a graduate assistant for the team the previous season.

After a remarkable four years as a player for the Buckeyes under Jim Tressel from 2005 to 2008, the former three-time All-American spent eight seasons in the National Football League. For Laurinaitis, coaching linebackers will come naturally because he is among the greatest to have played the position at Ohio State.

He didn’t play much as a freshman, but in his final three seasons, he recorded 366 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, and nine interceptions. Before being chosen in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft, he won the Butkus Award, the Bronco Nagurski Trophy, and two Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year titles.

Following his 2016 NFL retirement, Laurinaitis, 37, experimented with the media. He joined Notre Dame’s support staff in 2022, replacing former Ohio State colleague Marcus Freeman. Following a year, he transferred to Ohio State.

Day also disclosed that defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is under contract extension until the 2026 season. Additional staff notes from Ohio State include:

In addition to his position as secondary coach, Tim Walton has been promoted to assistant head coach. He now has a deal that runs through 2026.
Larry Johnson, the defensive line coach and associate head coach, inked a new deal that will last until the 2025 campaign.
Keenan Bailey, the tight ends coach, has a contract that runs through 2025.
Tony Johnson has become a senior analyst on the team.

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