Eric Boggs
Anthony Schlegel is back where he belongs, rejoining Ohio State’s strength and conditioning staff full-time and adding another familiar Buckeye voice to the foundation of the program. The former Ohio State linebacker, who played in Columbus from 2003 to 2005, is now officially listed as a strength and conditioning coach for the football program, filling the vacancy left by AT Turner, who departed to join Brian Hartline’s staff at USF. For Ohio State fans, Schlegel’s return represents more than a staff move—it signals a continued commitment to building the program with people who understand what it means to wear the scarlet and gray.
Schlegel is no stranger to this role or to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. He previously served as an assistant strength coach at Ohio State from 2011 to 2015 and returned in an interim capacity in 2024 when the program needed a temporary replacement due to surgery on a staff member. This time, the return is permanent, and the timing feels right. Since leaving Ohio State in 2015, Schlegel has built an impressive résumé that blends football, business, and performance training, all of which now come back to benefit the Buckeyes.
After stepping away from the staff, Schlegel founded The Difference USA, a fitness equipment company built around the striking and hand-placement machine he invented during his first tenure at Ohio State. That machine is now used by more than 20 NFL teams and over 100 Division I programs nationwide, a testament to his innovative approach to player development. He also served as head strength and conditioning coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars under Urban Meyer in 2021, gaining valuable NFL experience that further refined his perspective on performance, recovery, and durability.
Schlegel’s football journey has always been defined by toughness and leadership. After beginning his college career at Air Force, where he was a Freshman All-American and team captain, he transferred to Ohio State and became part of one of the most memorable linebacker units in program history alongside A.J. Hawk and Bobby Carpenter. He went on to play in the NFL with the New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals before finishing his playing career in the UFL. That combination of collegiate excellence, professional experience, and coaching background makes his presence on staff especially meaningful for today’s Buckeyes.
Beyond the weight room, Schlegel remained a familiar figure to Ohio State fans as a co-host of “Morning Juice” on 97.1 The Fan in Columbus and then the co-host for former teammate Bobby Carpenter on his podcast, where his passion for the program is on full display. His return also continues a growing trend under Ryan Day of bringing former Buckeyes back into the fold, joining James Laurinaitis, Tim Walton, Devin Jordan, Nate Ebner, and C.J. Barnett on a staff increasingly built with people who understand the standard, the culture, and the expectations in Columbus.
For Ohio State, this move is about continuity, culture, and credibility. Anthony Schlegel knows what it takes to win at Ohio State, he knows how to develop elite athletes, and he knows how to demand toughness the right way. Bringing him back full-time isn’t just a hire—it’s an investment in the physical and mental edge that defines championship football in Columbus.
