Eric Boggs
Ohio State has once again reinforced its commitment to elite defensive line play with the addition of veteran NFL assistant and widely respected pass-rush specialist Joe Kim to its staff. From a Buckeye perspective, this move reflects a clear intention to maintain—and elevate—the program’s long-standing reputation for producing disruptive, game-changing defensive linemen.
Kim arrives in Columbus with more than three decades of experience spanning both the NFL and college football, most recently serving as a skill development coordinator at Illinois. His impact there was immediate and significant, as he helped develop Gabe Jacas into one of the Big Ten’s premier pass rushers, earning first-team all-conference honors while finishing among the league leaders in sacks. His success at Illinois also continues a growing connection between Ohio State and Bret Bielema’s staff, as Kim follows special teams coordinator Robby Discher in making the move from Champaign to Columbus this offseason.
What makes Kim’s addition particularly valuable for Ohio State is the depth and uniqueness of his expertise. Over the course of his career, he has worked with 11 different NFL organizations, beginning with the Cleveland Browns under Bill Belichick in 1992. Since then, he has built a reputation as one of football’s foremost teachers of pass-rush technique, becoming a trusted resource for teams looking to gain an edge in pressuring the quarterback.
That reputation is rooted not only in football, but also in Kim’s distinguished background in taekwondo. As one of the most accomplished instructors in the United States, he has produced more than 250 black belts along with numerous national and international champions. That martial arts foundation translates directly to his coaching style, emphasizing hand usage, leverage, balance, and the ability to diagnose an opponent’s weaknesses in real time. His creation of Football Combatives in 2017 further formalized this approach, blending combat principles with line play to refine pass-rush efficiency.
Kim’s techniques have earned praise at the highest levels of the sport. Nick Saban notably described him as “the pass-rush guru,” highlighting his ability to teach players how to attack and exploit body positioning. That same expertise was valued within the New England Patriots organization, where Kim worked closely with current Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Their reunion in Columbus adds another layer of continuity and trust to the Buckeyes’ defensive staff, particularly as Patricia looks to implement aggressive, technically sound schemes.
For Ohio State, the timing of this hire is critical. With a new wave of defensive line talent emerging—including players like Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Zion Grady, Qua Russaw, and Beau Atkinson—Kim’s presence provides an additional resource alongside longtime defensive line coach Larry Johnson. Johnson’s track record of developing NFL-caliber linemen is already well established, and pairing that foundation with Kim’s specialized pass-rush instruction could elevate the unit even further.
Ultimately, this move signals that Ohio State is not content with maintaining the status quo. By adding one of the most respected pass-rush technicians in football, the Buckeyes are doubling down on their identity in the trenches. For a program built on dominating the line of scrimmage and consistently pressuring opposing quarterbacks, the arrival of Joe Kim represents both a strategic investment and a clear statement: Ohio State intends to keep living in the backfield.
