There’s no doubt that Twitter is a polarizing place, but it can be a place to celebrate as well. That’s exactly what happened Friday night when the announcement was made that former Ohio State All-American linebacker James Laurinaitis was joining the Buckeyes coaching staff as a graduate assistant.
Laurinaitis is one of the most decorated and beloved OSU linebackers of all time and it always felt a little weird having him leave radio and television as Buckeye ambassador and personality to join Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame.
But now he’s back and you have to believe he’ll bring a lot to the defense as he works with the linebackers. He brings NFL experience and a leadership mindset that should suit Ohio State well and help him launch a successful coaching career.
Buckeye Nation was quick to react on Twitter to the exciting news and we’re sharing the best of what the free social media app brought us on Friday.
Even new offensive coordinator Brian Hartline is ecstatic. Practices should be fun.
33 is back!! 👀🫡 https://t.co/l014YKeHxC
— Brian Hartline (@brianhartline) January 27, 2023
A former teammate on and off the field is excited
Sometime fou just have to speak it into existence… the Little Animal is coming home pic.twitter.com/JJ2Tmbgawu
— Bobby Carpenter (@Bcarp3) January 27, 2023
We agree
James Laurinaitis will now be on the correct sideline for Ohio State vs. Notre Dame in 2023.
— Buckeye Show (@TheBuckeyeShow) January 27, 2023
That's a great start!
Can we rank grad assistant hires? (I won the lottery and I'll go first in our snake draft…)
1. James Laurinaitis
Whoever jumps in first has the next pick…
— Dave Biddle (@davebiddle) January 27, 2023
You have to think there's a succession plan of some kind, right?
If everything works out well with James Laurinaitis after this season let him get acclimated with the program, you transition him to on the field LB coach. Let Jim Knowles hover as just the DC instead of doing double duties.
— jbook™ (@jbook37) January 27, 2023
Oh yes, the "little animal'
James Laurinaitis trending causes the Wrestling Community Confusion.
— Barkeromo…! (@Barkeromo) January 28, 2023
This is no doubt a sentiment many fans feel
I'm less worried about what James Laurinaitis' actual role is than I am happy that the staff will have someone with a psychotic obsession with the Michigan game on it
— Colton Denning (@Dubsco) January 27, 2023
You know the passion will be there
James Laurinaitis is exactly who should be working with the Ohio State LBs. Bring back the juice man. I love this.
— Sam Block (@theblockspot) January 27, 2023
ba-dump-bump ...
Hopefully James Laurinaitis will be able to do some recruiting for Ohio state in the future.
He’ll be a real ….. road warrior.I’ll show myself out.
— Scott Halasz (@ohiostatescott) January 28, 2023
Here comes the calvary
James Laurinaitis to Ohio State’s defense pic.twitter.com/RlfHrBmqFe
— womens rea (@BlaiqueJLee) January 27, 2023
Ouch!
James Laurinaitis proving that no sane person can spend a year in South Bend.
— Brett (@BLeez17) January 27, 2023
This is a true statement
The James Laurinaitis hiring is about as universally loved by Buckeye fans as I’ve seen in a long time from #BuckeyeNation. Welcome back, 33.
— Cory T (@ScarletGreatCT) January 28, 2023
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