James Laurinaitis shares excitement to work with Steele Chambers, Tommy Eichenberg

A former Buckeye is heading home, with James Laurinaitis joining the Ohio State staff. Spending last season with Notre Dame, Laurinaitis will be back in Columbus and coaching linebackers under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Head coach Ryan Day has brought former players back into the program to coach, with Laurinaitis being the latest.

Heading home will give Laurinaitis the opportunity to work with the likes of Steele Chambers and Tommy Eichenberg. He could not be more excited to work with the linebacker duo and that’s just after watching a day of workouts. Big things are going to happen with Luarinaitis implementing his knowledge.

“I’m excited to work with both of them,” Laurinaitis said. “Just from everything you hear and what I observed today — the leadership. Just the way they play the game. I’ve been watching some of the installs. You see the way Tommy plays the game, the way Steele does. I’m excited for the whole room.”

Chambers and Eichenberg were Ohio State’s two leading tacklers this season, with the latter being the real star of the show. They combined for a total of 197 tackles, 18.5 tackles for a loss, and 4.5 sacks. Impressive in Year One of a scheme with Knowles.

James Laurinaitis experienced at linebacker

If anyone knows what it takes to play linebacker at Ohio State, it’s Laurinaitis. You can tell the relationships between him and the current players is already there as well. Learning from one of the greats will help translate well on Saturdays.

“Both of those guys know, reach out with any questions they have,” Laurinaitis said. “It will take me a little bit to get to a point with the scheme but there will be some stuff instantly that I will be able to help. Running back alignments, tight end splits, things where the offense is trying to attack you — I have been in their shoes, literally. I know the issues, where you can get beat, and where to protect yourself in those situations.”

Laurinaitis spent four seasons with the Buckeyes, playing under head coach Jim Tressel. He recorded 365 tackles throughout his year and was named the Big Ten defensive player of the year twice. The Butkus Award was most likely his highest individual honor, earning the trophy in 2007.

One of the program’s all-time linebackers is now working for them, hoping to develop similar caliber players.