The Ohio State Buckeyes are college football’s national champions after steamrolling through the first-ever 12-team college football playoff, securing victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and hosting the trophy at season’s end. However, since winning the Championship, things have taken an unexpected turn for the Buckeyes.
As the team celebrated with a championship parade, news broke that would significantly impact the program’s future and its quest for continued dominance. “Sources: Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is finalizing a three-year deal to become the new defensive coordinator at Penn State. It averages $3.1 million over three years,” reported ESPN’s College Football insider Pete Thamel.
In addition to this departure, the Buckeyes faced further turmoil as defensive quality control coach Joe Lyberger was placed on administrative leave due to an investigation by the university regarding harassment, discrimination, and sexual misconduct. According to The Columbus Dispatch, this incident has only added to the instability within the coaching staff.
Now, the coaching shakeup continues as “Ohio State OL coach Justin Frye is expected to take the Arizona Cardinals OL job,” reported On3 on Saturday morning.
BREAKING: Ohio State OL coach Justin Frye is expected to take the Arizona Cardinals OL job, @PeteNakos_ reports.https://t.co/GGFK76wwyG pic.twitter.com/BvNU9WykCf
— On3 (@On3sports) February 1, 2025
Fans have reacted to this news on social media, with comments ranging from “better fit for him where there is no recruiting,” to “Maybe Ohio State will start getting OL recruits no.” Another fan expressed their concern, asking, “Will Ohio State have any coaches left to coach!!!” It will certainly be fascinating to see how the Buckeyes go about rebuilding their coaching staff.