Eric Boggs
A representative for Ohio State football confirmed on Wednesday that Brandon Jordan, a defensive coach specializing in pass-rushing for the Buckeyes, is no longer part of the program.
Jordan joined the team in February, having previously worked as a pass-rush specialist for the Seattle Seahawks for a year. Originally from New Orleans, Jordan has coached at various levels, including Missouri S&T (2012), McKendree University (2013), Austin Peay (2013-2015), John Ehret High School (2016-18), and Michigan State (2022).
Ohio State brought Jordan onto its support staff as it was considering hiring an additional defensive line coach to assist Larry Johnson. However, the decision was made to promote James Laurinaitis to linebackers coach instead. However, many believed that Jordan was told that if and when Johnson decides to retire, the Ohio State defensive line coach was set to be his.
Then Johnson made it clear during spring ball that he wasn’t planning on retiring any time soon. This may have led to Jordan looking for employment elsewhere coupled with the fact that Laurinaitis was promoted instead of him.
During his three months at Ohio State, Jordan led coaching sessions for the Buckeyes’ defensive linemen across all 15 spring practices, including the spring game on April 13. He mainly focused on refining the pass-rush techniques of players like JT Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, Caden Curry, and Kenyatta Jackson, as well as working with Tyleik Williams, Ty Hamilton, and other defensive tackles.
Following his departure from Ohio State, Jordan’s next destination remains uncertain. In 2018, six years after beginning his coaching career, Jordan established Brandon Jordan Trench Performance. Through this venture, he has provided coaching services to over 200 NFL players, including Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt, Von Miller, Chandler Jones, and Jadeveon Clowney.
Although Jordan has left, Ohio State will continue to have an assistant defensive line coach on staff to support Larry Johnson, with graduate assistant LaAllan Clark, who is entering his second year with the Buckeyes, filling the role.
