**“BUILT FOR DOMINANCE! — Ohio State O-Linemen Thrive Under Four-Coach System, Reaping Benefits of Personalized Development”**
The offensive line has long been the engine room of any successful football program, and at Ohio State, that principle has never rung truer than it does now. With a tradition of excellence built on gritty trench warfare and elite player development, the Buckeyes have often leaned on their offensive linemen to pave the way to Big Ten dominance and national championship contention. This year, however, something unique is happening in Columbus. For the first time in the program’s history, the Ohio State Buckeyes are operating with four offensive line coaches, an unusual setup that is paying early dividends and transforming the unit into a finely tuned machine of power, technique, and cohesion.
Traditionally, most college football programs have just one offensive line coach, sometimes with an assistant or graduate assistant offering supplemental support. Ohio State has thrown that template out the window in 2025, expanding their offensive line coaching contingent to four experienced professionals, each bringing their own specialized knowledge to the table. For the players in the trenches, this is not only a luxury but a revolutionary shift that is redefining how the position is taught, practiced, and performed. It’s no longer a matter of general instruction—it’s detailed, personalized coaching at a microscopic level, and the players are responding with enthusiasm, focus, and a sense of confidence that hasn’t been this strong in years.
At the heart of this coaching innovation is head offensive line coach Justin Frye, who now works with three assistant coaches under his leadership, each one dedicated to a specific aspect of offensive line play. One coach focuses primarily on interior linemen, refining the footwork, leverage, and timing of centers and guards. Another concentrates on the tackles, ensuring edge protection remains impenetrable against the nation’s most vicious pass rushers. The fourth coach brings in a heavy dose of technique refinement, focusing on pad level, hand placement, and advanced blocking schemes designed to outwit even the most sophisticated defenses.
Players across the line are soaking up the individualized attention like sponges. Junior tackle Luke Montgomery has already noted how beneficial the setup has been to his game, saying that the ability to receive instruction tailored to his role has sharpened his execution and helped him identify flaws in real time. For players like Montgomery, who are balancing high expectations with the ever-watchful eyes of NFL scouts, the added instruction is more than just helpful—it’s career-defining. “It’s crazy how much better you get when someone’s watching every step you take,” he shared. “You can’t hide bad habits anymore. They see everything. And they fix it fast.”
Meanwhile, younger players are also thriving under the new system. Redshirt freshman Josh Simmons, a highly-touted recruit from California, came into Columbus with raw potential but needed refinement in technique and discipline. Under the four-coach model, Simmons has rapidly closed the gap between potential and performance. Coaches have been able to break down his game film in layers, isolate individual tendencies, and correct mistakes during live reps without slowing down the pace of practice. This level of attentiveness was simply not possible before, when a single coach had to split time between 15 or more linemen.
From the perspective of the coaching staff, the benefits of this model are equally clear. With fewer players per coach, the instructional quality rises dramatically. Mistakes don’t get lost in the shuffle, and praise is more targeted and timely. During position drills, each coach can maintain a laser-like focus on a specific subset of the group, offering real-time corrections that stick. In meetings, film sessions have turned into masterclasses, where details are dissected down to foot alignment on zone reads and hand timing on reach blocks. For a team whose offensive identity hinges on tempo, balance, and physicality, this precision is vital.
Ohio State’s offensive line has always been good, but the early signs suggest this year’s group could be special. Reports out of summer camp indicate that the first team unit is moving with more cohesion than in recent memory. Communication at the line is crisp. Blitz pickups are coordinated. Double-team blocks are devastating. The synergy between the line and quarterback room has taken a notable leap as well, with QBs trusting their protection more and extending plays without feeling the need to flee the pocket prematurely. When an offensive line is confident and composed, the ripple effects on the rest of the offense are profound—and that’s exactly what’s unfolding in Columbus.
Head coach Ryan Day has been one of the biggest proponents of this coaching model, and he didn’t come to the decision lightly. Known for his quarterback-friendly offense and cerebral approach to game planning, Day recognized that if his system was going to thrive against the evolving defenses of the Big Ten and national competition, it needed a foundation rooted in elite line play. He saw the growing complexity of defensive schemes—zone blitzes, stunts, hybrid edge rushers—and knew that his linemen would need every possible advantage in order to respond effectively. By investing in more coaches, he’s not just preparing players for Saturdays—he’s preparing them for Sundays.
There’s also a recruiting angle to consider. As high school players across the country look at where to commit, development is at the forefront of their minds. Programs that can offer a clear path to improvement and NFL readiness stand out. The four-coach system at Ohio State is already generating buzz among recruits and their families, many of whom see the structure as a blueprint for maximizing talent. For elite offensive linemen considering their college options, the promise of specialized attention and top-tier development is an enticing proposition. It’s one thing to say a school produces pros—it’s another to show exactly how they do it.
Internally, the culture among the offensive linemen has shifted too. There’s a greater sense of accountability and pride, and the competition is fierce but supportive. With each player receiving tailored feedback, they’re able to chase excellence on their own terms while pushing each other to new heights. Veterans are mentoring rookies with the help of the coaching staff, and younger players are closing the gap faster than ever before. The room has turned into a hive of progress, a living example of what happens when attention to detail meets institutional support.
The success of this approach may not just influence Ohio State’s future—it could change the game across college football. If the Buckeyes put together an elite offensive season and their line dominates in the trenches, don’t be surprised if other programs start experimenting with expanded coaching models of their own. The copycat nature of football ensures that good ideas rarely remain proprietary for long. But for now, Ohio State has a head start, and they’re not wasting it.
The Buckeyes are entering the season with sky-high expectations, not just from fans but from themselves. With a loaded backfield, a reloaded receiving corps, and a quarterback ready to lead, the offensive line will be the glue that holds the operation together. And with four coaches guiding their every move, there’s reason to believe this year’s group could be one of the best Columbus has ever seen.
Ultimately, football is a game of inches, and those inches are won through preparation, execution, and adaptation. By investing in more coaching resources for the offensive line, Ohio State is acknowledging the complexity of modern football and meeting it with innovation. In a sport that often rewards brute strength, the Buckeyes are adding a layer of intelligence and attention that could set them apart.
The players believe in it. The coaches stand by it. And if the early results are any indication, this four-coach experiment might just become the gold standard for offensive line development. For Ohio State, it’s not just about being good. It’s about being elite. And thanks to this bold new approach, the offensive line might be leading the way there.
