Philbin Making Impact On Hinzman, Offensive Line In First Three Months As Buckeyes Offensive Analyst

Since joining the Buckeyes’ staff as an offensive analyst on May 23, longtime NFL assistant and former Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin has put his stamp on the Ohio State program, using his vast football knowledge and decades of coaching experience to help develop those within the locker room. 

Philbin, who primarily works with the Buckeyes’ offensive linemen, began his NFL coaching career in 2003, where he served as an assistant offensive line coach for the Green Bay Packers. From there, he ascended up the franchise’s coaching ranks, assuming head offensive play-calling duties from 2007-2011 and earning a Super Bowl ring alongside quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Philbin’s final season in Green Bay. Phiblin’s successful stint with the Packers led him to be hired as head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2012-2015, where he amassed a 24-28 record — and molded former NFL wideout and current Ohio State offensive coordinator for three seasons (2012-2014). 

After serving another six years as an NFL assistant with the Indianapolis Colts (2016-2017), Packers (2018) and Dallas Cowboys (2020-2022), Philbin has now taken his talents to Columbus, where he is already making a considerable impact. 

“Oh my gosh,” sophomore offensive lineman Carson Hinzman said on Aug. 15. “Coach Philbin man, absolutely phenomenal coach. I mean, I love working with him. He’s taught me so much in the short period of time he’s been here. I love talking to him.” 

Hinzman, who is competing for the starting center position alongside Louisiana-Monroe graduate transfer Victor Cutler Jr. this fall, said Philbin has personally helped him recognize his flaws and implement minor adjustments to his technique, a small detail that he said has made a big difference so far this summer. 

“I really like the way he teaches you know, (with) those little side bits he’ll tell you,” Hinzman said. “Just just him talking, you can feel his depth in (knowledge) because, I mean, he’s won a Super Bowl ring, he’s been to the top, where very few guys, even the great guys have been. So you know he knows what he’s talking about. It’s kind of funny, he will be like, ‘Hey, why don’t you try this,’ and it will work immediately. And you’re just like, ‘Okay, I’ll add that one to the bag.’”

Hinzman said the former NFL head coach has specifically helped him improve his lateral and hand quickness by recommending he watch YouTube videos of boxer Muhammad Ali in his free time — an unconventional way of teaching that the Buckeyes’ center said he has fully embraced. 

“He wanted me to learn how to punch and keep guys off of me and that’s one of the biggest things I’ve been working on,” Hinzman said. “(I told Philbin), ‘I don’t know what I’m looking (at),’ and he said ‘I just want you to learn how he is quick on his feet and how he extends, extends on his punches.’ Because as a center, you need your off-hand to be extended to get those guys off of you.’ But (by emulating) how Muhammad will be able to extend so fast and be able to get those guys off, I have a little bit more room to work (with).” 

The immediate impact Philbin has made on the Ohio State offense comes as no surprise to Day, who gushed at the former NFL coach’s abilities and makeup earlier this summer. The Buckeyes’ leader added that the program is lucky to have employed someone who has gained two-decades worth of professional coaching experience. 

“I never thought we’d have the chance to hire him,” head coach Ryan Day said during Big Ten Media Days on July 26. “(Philbin is a) perfect hire in an analyst role.”

Although Philbin has been a part of the Ohio State program for just three months, Hinzman said he would already like for one of his biggest mentors to stay on the staff for more than just the 2023 season. 

“He’s super wise in his teachings ,” Hinzman said. “I would love to have him around, I really hope he doesn’t leave too quickly. I hope he’s here for a while. He’s a great addition.”