Larry Johnson and Greg Mattison have a combined age of 136 years. They have been FBS coaches for a combined 63 seasons. Mattison has been a coordinator in both major college football (including at Florida, where he won a championship with Urban Meyer) and the NFL, while Johnson is widely regarded as one of the best defensive line coaches (if not the single best) in the game.
This is why they are two of the most key people (players included) for Ohio State as the young Buckeyes are about to begin spring practice to open the 2019 season.
Of course, the Buckeyes will enter the 2019 season with a plethora of talent on the defensive side of the ball. Stud defensive lineman Chase Young returns for his third (and likely) season, while Malik Harrison and Jordan Fuller also turned down NFL opportunities to return to school for one more season. In addition, many other starters and key role players will return, with an immense amount of young talent vying for starting and backup positions as well.
With a young head coach, and a young co-defensive coordinator in Jeff Hafley, it was imperative for Ryan Day to go out and get another experienced coordinator, and that's exactly what he did with Greg Mattison.
Of course, it wasn't exactly an easy pull. Mattison comes directly from Ann Arbor, where he was a member of Jim Harbaugh's staff (and Brady Hoke's prior to that) for the last eight seasons.
“I got a lot of respect for the rivalry,” Day said, speaking on Mattison and Al Washington. “That had nothing to do with anything other than trying to find the best guys. These are guys that I've known. It wasn't like I was going to try to cherry pick off of somebody's staff. But I felt like those were the best guys for us.”
Mattison has been a coordinator at three elite college football programs: Florida, Notre Dame, and Michigan. In addition, he was the coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens from 2009-10.
“I'm very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work at two of the greatest programs in the country and in all of college football,” said Mattison, referencing Ohio State and Michigan. “Luckily you add Notre Dame in there, I kind of say, wow, I've had a pretty good run. The big thing, leaving Michigan was a very tough decision. I spent 13 years there. But I also have spent 19 out of the last 24 years coordinating, and to have the opportunity to have a co-coordinator at a great university like Ohio State was something that – an opportunity that I really wanted to pursue, and that was the biggest thing.”
Mattison's experience will be extremely valuable for a young Ohio State team heading into 2019. Oh, and his knowledge of the Wolverines will probably help some as well.
Looking at the program again, nobody deserved a promotion more than Larry Johnson, and he got one this offseason when Ryan Day elevated him to Associate Head Coach, in addition to his defensive line duties.
Johnson has long been known as one of the best recruiters and developers of talent in the game. His track record is immense, and the number of All-Americans, NFL draft choices, and quality players produced is staggering.
Defensive line coach Larry Johsnon, recently promoted to associate head coach, is entering his sixth season at Ohio State.
Johnson is entering his sixth season with Ohio State, after spending the previous 17 with Penn State. Urban Meyer plucked him away from the Nittany Lions in 2014, and the defensive line under Johnson has absolutely taken off.
It is easy to see Johnson's impeccable track record in hindsight; he has produced players such as Joey and Nick Bosa, Tyquan Lewis, Jalyn Holmes, Sam Hubbard, and so many more. In addition, there are many young players waiting in the wings for a chance to step up.
In addition, Johnson is one of the best on the recruiting trail, which is a must, especially if you coach at Ohio State.
The presence of these two elite veteran coaches will be absolutely paramount to the success of the Buckeyes for the 2019 season. Ryan Day needed some veteran leadership, and he got it.
