Nearly three weeks after Tony Alford’s departure, Ohio State hired former Oregon running back coach Carlos Locklyn as Aflord’s replacement. Locklyn inked a two-year deal with the Buckeyes after an impressive two seasons at Oregon. One month after Locklyn signed a two-year extension with Oregon worth $400,000, he will be moving to Columbus. With the hire taking place on April 1, Locklyn’s buyout was cut in half.
Ohio State Brings in an Ascending Coach in Locklyn
There was skepticism building with the duration of the vacancy after Alford’s departure. Ohio State interviewed many candidates and most expected the Buckeyes to hire a new coach within just a couple of days. When notable coaches were interviewed and left without being hired, the Ohio State media and fans started to get impatient. That skepticism was put to rest when the Buckeyes landed one of the fastest-rising coaches in the country, Carlos Locklyn.
Locklyn has been climbing the coaching ranks fast, landing one of the country’s best running back coaching jobs after just seven years of coaching at the collegiate level. Before Oregon, Locklyn spent three years at Memphis, one year at Florida State, and one year at Western Kentucky. Locklyn has a background as a running back, playing in college at Tennessee Chattanooga. During his time with the Mocs, Locklyn rushed for over 1,500 yards in three seasons, leading the team in rushing.
Locklyn Will Bring Energy to Ohio State
The past two seasons, Carlos Locklyn helped build Oregon into one of the most explosive rushing attacks in the country. Oregon ranked in the top five in the country in yards per carry in each of Locklyn’s two seasons. Oregon’s top running back Bucky Irving was one of the best running backs in the country, posting an elite rushing grade in his past two seasons for the Ducks per pff rushing grades. When watching Oregon play the last two seasons, their explosiveness and ability to get vertical jumped off the screen.
Ohio State’s offensive coaching staff will include Chip Kelly, Brian Hartline, and now Carlos Locklyn. With that group we can expect a fast-paced highly explosive offensive attack from the Buckeyes this fall. Head coach Ryan Day mentioned the energy Locklyn will bring into the running back room.
“He brings a lot of energy to the table.” – Ryan Day
Locklyn Already Impacting Recruiting at Ohio State
Anytime a coaching change occurs, focus immediately gets put on how it will impact recruiting. With Tony Alford being a good recruiter during his time at Ohio State, there has been a sense of fear that the Buckeyes could lose some of their recruits or younger backs to their rival Michigan, where Alford now is. However, that does not appear to be the case as Locklyn has asserted himself as one of the best recruiters in the nation. Current running back prospects have spoken positively about the move.
“He is one of the coaches I have a great relationship with. I like him a lot, and it is big that he is going to Ohio State” – Four-Star running back prospect Jordon Davison
Head Coach Ryan Day has also sung Locklyn’s praises in the recruiting ranks.
“I think he’s going to have a great impact on our team and a great impact on recruiting. I think he’s going to be a tremendous coach.” – Ryan Day
Carlos Locklyn will be walking into arguably the best running back room in the country when he steps foot in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center for the first time.
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