Written by David Regimbal

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In a move that morphed from a rumor to an expectation last week, Ohio State made the hiring of former football-standout Mike Vrabel official today. Vrabel joins Ohio State’s staff as the new Linebackers Coach, a position that was vacated with Luke Fickell’s promotion.

Vrabel is a highly recognizable name not only for Buckeye fans, but football fans in general. After an outstanding career at Ohio State, where he was named the Big Ten’s defensive-player-of-the-year two years in a row, Vrabel spent 14 very successful seasons playing in the NFL. Vrabel was drafted by the Steelers before joining the New Englad Patriots for eight years. He played a huge role in three New England Super Bowl victories and is known around the league as a great teammate and an even harder worker. After retiring from the NFL today, Vrabel will finish his career with 742 tackles and 57 sacks.

News of Vrabel’s addition to Ohio State’s coaching staff spread quickly. His former coach, and a man widely thought of as one of the best in the business, was excited for Vrabel. "During his Patriots career, there was no player more respected for his football intellect and revered for his leadership by his teammates than Mike," Bill Belichick said. "He was elected a team captain by his peers and is a player who I think everyone knew was destined to become a coach after his NFL playing career was over.”

"Mike Vrabel is as well-suited for coaching as any player I have ever coached. He has a tremendous feel for people, players, coaches and what his team needs regardless of the situation. He is outstanding in his knowledge of the game, which contributed to his excellence as a player. I have no doubt Mike will develop tough, intelligent, fundamentally sound winners."

Vrabel spoke to the media earlier today, "I am very excited to become a part of Luke Fickell's staff at Ohio State. I have great faith and trust in Luke leading the Buckeye football team as he represents all the core values integral for a program's success, and I am looking forward to working with our student-athletes as I begin the next phase of my career."

With all the bad news swirling around the program since late December, this is certainly a development that Buckeye fans can be excited about.