Ohio State assistant Larry Johnson has been given a promotion on Ryan Day’s staff.

Monday, Day announced that Johnson will now be the associate head coach and defensive line coach. He has been on Ohio State’s staff since 2014 and has coached some of the Buckeyes’ top defensive linemen over the last five seasons.

“Larry’s experience at Ohio State will allow him to have a major role in the guidance and direction of this program,” Day said. “His promotion to associate head coach is well earned. Larry is a wonderful teacher and mentor, and his players always become a part of his family.”

Ohio State has ranked in the top two in sacks in the B1G in four of the five years since Johnson’s arrival. In 2018, the Buckeyes totaled 41 sacks, second in the conference to only Penn State.

Prior to joining Urban Meyer’s staff in Columbus, Johnson had a long run on Penn State’s staff under Joe Paterno. He was on staff in Happy Valley from 1996-2013.