James Laurinaitis’ return to Ohio State in graduate assistant role seen as a big win for
Ohio State announced Friday that former linebacker James Laurinaitis is returning to his alma mater to serve as a graduate assistant.. Laurinaitis, a three-time All-American for the Buckeyes, spent last year as a grad assistant at Notre Dame and will work with defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to help coach the team’s linebackers.
“I am thrilled for our program and especially for our current and future Buckeyes, who will benefit so much from having James on staff,” head coach Ryan Day said in the release announcing the hiring of Laurinaitis. “James is a terrific young man with wisdom as a Buckeye and experience as an eight-year NFL veteran. He is going to be a very important part of our program going forward.”
Laurinaitis totaled 375 total tackles during his four-year career in Columbus (2005-08), the seventh-most in program history. He tacked on 24.5 tackles for a loss, 13 sacks and nine interceptions from end route to two Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year awards, a Bronko Nagurski Trophy in 2006 and a Butkus award in 2007.
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