Linebackers Coach Al Washington Will Not Return to Ohio State

Ohio State’s defensive reset continues as it has been reported that linebackers coach Al Washington will not return to Columbus next season.

It was an inconsistent stretch for Washington’s unit during his time as a Buckeye. The Columbus native was hired away from Michigan with Greg Mattison prior to the 2019 season, and quickly turned around a unit that was run into the ground by Bill Davis. Following the 2020 season, Washington was courted to become the new defensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee, but after much deliberation ultimately decided to give it another go in Columbus.

Now, he is part of a mass exodus that includes Kerry Coombs, Matt Barnes, and potentially Parker Fleming as Ryan Day has totally flipped his defensive coaching staff this offseason.

Ohio State is expecting a relatively deep linebackers room next season, as Tommy Eichenberg, Steele Chambers, and Cody Simon will all return alongside newcomers C.J. Hicks, DeaMonte Trayanum, and former tight end Cade Stover.

Featured image via: Michael Allio, Getty Images