'Stepping Stone': How A Brian Hartline Phone Call Led To James Laurinaitis' Ohio State Return

The Ohio State Buckeyes realized after a promising outlook with Brian Hartline that James Laurinaitis could be another rising star in the coaching world.

When James Laurinaitis decided to turn off the microphone at 97.1 FM and pick up and whistle, the goal was to make it back to Ohio State. 

Nothing was promised, including a spot on the coaching staff with little professional experience. So Laurinaitis reconnected with former teammate Marcus Freeman, who was hired to replace Brian Kelly at Notre Dame and discussed his options.

Freeman didn't give Laurinaitis a full-time position with the Irish, but he did offer the former Buckeyes' All-American a graduate assistant role. It was his foot in the door to learn about the daily duties that go into coaching. 

Then, one afternoon last offseason, Buckeyes receivers coach and fellow teammate Brian Hartline called. A spot had opened for the same title in Columbus under Ryan Day. 

That was the first moment Laurinaitis realized his path to the coaching staff was a reality. 

"I had always talked to Brian about it and he developed in his coaching career," Laurinaitis said Tuesday following his promotion to linebackers coach. 

A year after serving under Jim Knowles, Laurinaitis is now replacing him. Knowles, who enters Year 3 as the Buckeyes' defensive coordinator, also served as the team's primary linebackers coach. 

Title-wise, Laurinaitis was nothing more than the low man on the totem pole. Externally, the former NFL standout said he felt like like the linebackers coach with his hands-on approach at the position in practice and during film study. 

He doesn't expect his role to change much despite carrying a different title. 

"For me, it's just knowing that the title brings that like, those are your guys. That's your room," said Laurinaitis. "And there's a lot of responsibility with that, but I cherish that.”

Some areas of Laurinaitis' job will change, most notably on the recruiting trail. Last season because of the vacancy on Ohio State's staff, the 37-year-old was permitted to go on the road recruiting but was accompanied by Day for the first in-person visit down to Florida. 

Every moment last season was viewed as a job interview for Laurinaitis. He passed with flying colors and now will be given the chance to recruit by himself, an area he doesn't view as a problem given his outgoing personality and firsthand experience of playing at Ohio Stadium.

“I try to be an ambassador for Ohio State,” Laurinaitis said. “I love this school. It’s changed my life. It’s done wonders for me and my family. To play here, to recruit your position at the school went to, at the place you love, it’s so natural. I’m sure there are some coaches that have to come off as car salesmen. There ain’t none of that because I’ve lived it.”

Laurinaitis has goals during his time as the linebackers coach. He wants Ohio State to become the top linebacker room in the country. That starts with him being the top commander at his position. 

It's not lost on Laurinaitis that Hartline turned himself from a graduate assistant to one of the top developers of pass-catchers in college. Names like Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Terry McLaurin have all gone on to become staples in the NFL since Hartline took over as receivers coach in 2018. 

"You see where he's at and I think when you have a receiver room like he has where he's consistently convincing the top wide receiver recruits in the country to come to a room with the top wide receiver groups in the country, that takes a certain mindset that he's developed," said Laurinaitis of Hartline. "He's not just recruiting the best kids, he's recruiting the right kind of kids.

"That's a good example for all of our position rooms to try to emulate."

A phone call from Hartline brought Laurinaitis home. He intends to be here for the long haul as the Buckeyes look to be a player for the Big Ten and College Football Playoff in 2024 and beyond. 

Laurinaitis said his heart has always been in football. It's why he jumped into the media world and later coaching. The eight-year NFL veteran has always been one with the game. 

James Laurinaitis Shares Favorite Memory of Bill O'Brien

He achieved greatness in Columbus as a player. Now, Laurinaitis hopes to have the same path as a coach.

Said Laurinaitis: “When you come to a place like Ohio State, whether you're blessed to play for four or five years here or you’re blessed to play 10 years in the (National Football) League, this town and this fan base, if you treat it right, will take care of you for life, and it becomes your family."