Ohio State Buckeyes To Hire Carlos Locklyn As New Running Backs Coach

Ohio State has found its new running backs coach, and is set to hire Oregon's Carlos Locklyn.

The Ohio State Buckeyes have found their running backs coach.

According to reports from ESPN's Pete Thamel, Ohio State has agreed to terms with Oregon Ducks running backs coach Carlos Locklyn as the replacement to Tony Alford.

Alford recently left the Buckeyes to join their arch-rival Michigan Wolverines.

Oregon running backs coach Carlos Locklyn calls to players Thursday, April 14, 2022, during practice

Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA

Locklyn spent the last two seasons with the Ducks, leading them to the No. 30 rushing attack in the nation (184.5 yards per game) in 2023. In 2022, the Ducks held the 12th ranked rushing attack in the nation, averaging 215.77 yards per game under Locklyn.

Last year under Locklyn, Oregon running back Bucky Irving rushed 186 times for 1,180 yards and 11 scores, averaging 6.34 yards per carry and just under 85 yards per game.

Under Alford in the past two seasons, the Buckeyes ranked No. 88 in the nation in 2023, and No. 32 in 2022.

Before coming to Oregon, one season as the running backs coach for Western Kentucky. Before that, he held various off-field roles at Florida State and Memphis.

Now with the Buckeyes, Locklyn will have arguably the best running back room in all of college football, with former SEC rushing leader Quinshon Judkins joing already entrenched starter and star TreVeyon Henderson in the backfield.

Combined, the pairing of Judkins at Ole Miss and Henderson at Ohio State rushed for 2,084 yards and 26 touchdowns last season.

And behind that duo, the Buckeyes also have Dallan Hayden waiting in the wings, who filled in admirably when Henderson was forced to miss a handful of games last season.

Now, they are all a Locklyn's disposal. And in the new offense being implemented by Chip Kelly - who has a history of creating elite running games - the new Ohio State rushing attack is set up for success for a long time to come.