Ohio State football has added a former Buckeye to coach Ryan Day’s staff

 

Former Ohio State safety Nate Ebner has joined the Buckeyes' football staff as a quality control coach.Getty Images

 

Published: Mar. 19, 2025, 2:48 p.m.

By Stefan Krajisnik, cleveland.com

 

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football has added Nate Ebner to coach Ryan Day’s staff.

The former Buckeye is serving as a special teams quality control coach and was coaching on the field during Monday’s spring practice.

“He brings credibility,” Day said. “That’s a guy who was self-made and turned out to have a great career in the NFL. (He) was a big part of special teams. He can have an impact on the safety room. He can have an impact on special teams.”

Ebner was a walk-on defensive back for Ohio State, though most of his work came on special teams.

He developed into a professional player, going in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Ebner was selected by the Patriots where he spent eight seasons (2012-19) and won three Super Bowl titles. He spent his final two seasons in the NFL playing for the Giants.

During his time with New England, Ebner overlapped with defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. The two are united now as Day hired Patricia in February to served as the Buckeyes' defensive coordinator.

Ebner is a native of Dublin, Ohio, who attended Hilliard Davidson High School. He did not play football in high school and pursued international rugby before joining the Buckeyes.