Carlos Locklyn Felt 'Like a Kid on Christmas' When Ohio State Buckeyes Came Calling

Running backs coach Carlos Locklyn was beyond excited when head coach Ryan Day texted him about joining the Ohio State Buckeyes.

When most people check their phones in the morning, they do not expect to find a text from Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day.

Carlos Locklyn is not most people.

The former Oregon Ducks running backs coach said he was beyond excited when he nudged his wife awake and showed her the message. Locklyn recalled his feelings during that moment at his introductory press conference on Wednesday.

Oregon running backs coach Carlos Locklyn calls to players Tuesday, April 12, 2022, during practice

Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA

"I was excited like a kid on Christmas," Locklyn said. "I have to pinch myself every morning that I'm here in Columbus at Ohio State. This is kind of surreal."

Locklyn's journey to becoming a collegiate football coach was anything but ordinary. The newest member of the Buckeyes coaching staff began as a member of law enforcement before divine inspiration told him to return to the game he once played.

The running back position is one which Locklyn is more than familiar with, as it is where he served while playing for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga back in the late 1990s.

"I'm only passionate about it because I played it," Locklyn said. "It's the only position I want to coach. Could I coach other positions? Yeah. I played (defensive back) in college too. But I love the running back position, so I want to see it coached well."

Locklyn describes himself primarily as a "ball coach," but adds he focuses more on his players than the game wherever he goes.

"My purpose is supporting the people," Locklyn said. "Whatever logo I have on, I'm still going to be doing the same thing...I get the best out of them because I love the young men."