Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye is set to leave the program to join the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, a source confirmed on Saturday. ESPN initially reported that Frye, who spent three seasons with the Buckeyes, is expected to take on the role of offensive line coach for the Cardinals.
Frye, 41, had been in the final year of his contract with Ohio State, which expired on Friday. His contract was last extended in 2023. This move marks Frye’s first NFL coaching position, as he has spent his entire 18-year coaching career in college football, beginning as a graduate assistant at Indiana in 2007.
Despite being on the road recruiting for Ohio State this week, speculation about a potential shift to the NFL had been circulating. Frye was also reported to have interviewed for the offensive line coach position with the Chicago Bears.
In Arizona, Frye will reunite with Paris Johnson Jr., a former All-American at Ohio State who now serves as the Cardinals’ starting left tackle. Frye coached Johnson during his junior year in 2022, and Johnson was drafted by the Cardinals with the sixth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
During his time at Ohio State, Frye faced criticism for challenges in recruiting. The Buckeyes signed only three high school offensive linemen in their most recent recruiting class, and just two of their last 11 offensive line signees were ranked in the top 100 of the 247Sports composite rankings.
However, Frye played a crucial role in managing an offensive line that dealt with significant injuries during Ohio State’s championship run. As the Buckeyes advanced through the expanded College Football Playoff to secure their first national title in a decade, they utilized six different starting offensive line combinations, including two in the postseason.
The injuries were substantial, with starting left tackle Josh Simmons and center Seth McLaughlin, who won the Rimington Trophy, both suffering season-ending injuries during the regular season. Despite these setbacks, Frye’s leadership helped the Buckeyes navigate these challenges effectively.
I line with the contract agreement, Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye is leaving for the Arizona Cardinals, a source confirmed Saturday. ESPN first reported Frye, who spent three seasons with the Buckeyes, was expected to also be the Cardinals’ offensive line coach. He had been in the last year of a contract with Ohio State that expired Friday
