Ohio State Football: Four coaches that shouldn’t return in 2022

Larry Johnson has been really good at his job for a long time. He has developed some really good players along the defensive line. Chase Young, the Bosa brothers, and Haskell Garrett are just some of the studs that Johnson has developed over the years.

Johnson is also a fantastic recruiter. He brought in both Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau in this year’s recruiting class, both were five-star defensive ends. That still has some value. Both players should be really good in the future.

But the defensive line, for how highly-touted it was, underperformed all year long. They weren’t able to get any pressure by themselves. The only time they were able to get any sacks was when Ohio State sent some extra blitzes up the middle or off the edge.

That alone isn’t why Johnson should leave. He has built up enough equity over the years to withstand one poor season from the defensive line. The problem is an accumulation of issues. Johnson is in his late 60s and isn’t getting any younger. He’s got a lot of mileage on him already.

Is it time for Ohio State to start looking elsewhere? Johnson could be looking to retire soon, which might benefit both he and the program. This might be the time for the Buckeyes to start fresh and get someone younger to coach the defensive line.

No matter what, the first three coaches on this list need to leave. None of them have the goodwill built up that Johnson has over the years, nor do they have the track record of success.