The Ohio State Buckeyes came to recognize James Laurinaitis as a potential rising star in the coaching realm alongside Brian Hartline, despite initially having a bright outlook solely for Hartline. When Laurinaitis made the decision to step away from his role on 97.1 FM and pursue coaching, his aim was to return to Ohio State.
With no assurances and minimal professional coaching experience, Laurinaitis reached out to his former teammate Marcus Freeman, now the head coach at Notre Dame, to explore his options. While Freeman didn’t offer him a full-time position, he did extend an opportunity for Laurinaitis to serve as a graduate assistant, providing him with a chance to delve into the intricacies of coaching.
The turning point came when Brian Hartline, the Buckeyes’ receivers coach and another former teammate, reached out to Laurinaitis with an opening for the same role at Ohio State under Ryan Day. This marked the moment when Laurinaitis realized his coaching aspirations were becoming a reality.
Reflecting on his journey, Laurinaitis emphasized his gratitude for the opportunity and expressed his commitment to his new role as linebackers coach. Despite initially holding a lower-ranking title, Laurinaitis felt a strong sense of responsibility and ownership over his position group.
While some aspects of his job will shift, particularly in recruiting, Laurinaitis feels well-equipped for the task, drawing on his passion for Ohio State and his own experiences as a player at the university. He sees recruiting as a natural extension of his love for the school rather than a sales pitch.
Laurinaitis has ambitious goals for his tenure as linebackers coach, aiming to elevate Ohio State’s linebacker unit to national prominence. He draws inspiration from Brian Hartline’s transformation from a graduate assistant to a highly respected position coach, viewing him as a role model for achieving excellence in coaching.
With his return to Ohio State, Laurinaitis intends to make a lasting impact and contribute to the team’s success in the Big Ten and beyond. His deep-rooted connection to football and Ohio State fuels his dedication to coaching, as he seeks to replicate the success he achieved as a player.
In Laurinaitis’s view, Ohio State isn’t just a school or a team—it’s a family that provides unwavering support to those who honor it with dedication and respect, a sentiment he aims to uphold throughout his coaching career.