Ryan Day's successor at Ohio State is already on the staff, and it's not the former Buckeye player you'd expect
The Ohio State Buckeyes may have been looking for a new head football coach if Ryan Day hadn't pulled off a miraculous College Football Playoff in 2024-25. The Buckeyes were loaded on both sides of the ball, but an untimely demise against Michigan for the fourth-straight year left fans bitter and demoralized. A run to […]
The Ohio State Buckeyes may have been looking for a new head football coach if Ryan Day hadn't pulled off a miraculous College Football Playoff in 2024-25. The Buckeyes were loaded on both sides of the ball, but an untimely demise against Michigan for the fourth-straight year left fans bitter and demoralized.
A run to his first National Championship victory saved Day and should keep him in Columbus for many more years, unless he decides to pursue the NFL or another venture. It's not expected, but life does happen, and Ohio State is a pressure-filled position.
While the Buckeyes have an obvious internal candidate within their pipeline with offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, another former player who was a superstar on Saturday before heading to a solid NFL career is an option.
Jeremy Birmingham of the Austin & Birm Show predicted that Laurinaitis will be the next Ohio State head coach after Day moves on one day.
"At the risk of really looking down the road here, but it is my personal belief that James Laurinaitis will be Ohio State's next head football coach. Whenever that happens, I don't know…I think as a coach, as a leader of men, he is exactly the right guy to do that. That's not a knock on anyone else, but I think timeline-wise and opportunity-wise, it sets up perfectly for James if he wants it. When you talk to him and see the way he deals with his job now, it's hard to imagine he doesn't want that."
Laurinaitis carved out an illustrious football career, with his time at Ohio State University standing as the cornerstone of his legacy. From 2005 to 2008, Laurinaitis was a dominant force as a linebacker for the Buckeyes, earning a reputation as one of the program’s all-time greats.
A three-time All-American, he showcased exceptional instincts, tackling prowess, and leadership, anchoring Ohio State’s defense during a golden era. His freshman year saw him record 25 tackles, but by his sophomore season in 2006, he exploded onto the national stage with 115 tackles, 5 sacks, and 4 interceptions, earning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation’s top defensive player.
In 2007, he won the Butkus Award as the best linebacker in college football, repeating as a finalist in 2008. Laurinaitis led Ohio State to three consecutive BCS bowl games, including the 2007 and 2008 National Championship games, though the Buckeyes fell short in both.
His 365 career tackles rank among the program’s best, and his ability to read offenses made him a coach on the field, guiding teammates with poise.
Selected in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams, Laurinaitis played eight seasons, primarily with the Rams (2009-2015) and briefly with the New Orleans Saints (2016).
He amassed over 850 tackles, 10 interceptions, and 7 sacks in the NFL, known for his durability and consistency, starting 101 consecutive games at one point. While his professional career was solid, his Ohio State tenure defined him, earning him a spot in the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016 for his transformative impact on the Buckeyes’ defense.
