Who is OSU’s James Laurinaitis? All About LB Coach’s Wife, Family, Net worth and More

Anyone who’s followed OSU’s football in the late 2000s or the NFL during the 2010s is well aware of James Laurinaitis. His career took him from being a standout college linebacker to a professional NFL player. From playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes to later coaching for it, James’ journey has been anything but ordinary. But beyond the on-field accomplishments, there’s much more to his story. Let’s explore the details surrounding his personal life, which is marked by strong family ties.

Who is James Laurinaitis’ wife?

James Laurinaitis’ is married to Shelly Williams Laurinaitis, who has been an integral part of his life. Her presence within the family is very well noted, which is reflected in James’ social media, where he often shares moments highlighting their time together. Like her husband, Shelly is a graduate of Ohio State University, and this is where the two first met. Since then, both of them have been together and tied the knot in 2013. The couple have known to be supporting each other through various chapters of their lives.

Shelly has a diverse professional background, with experience in finance and healthcare. Her LinkedIn profile reveals she majored in Finance at OSU’s Fisher College of Business and began her career at Lincoln Financial Advisors. She later worked as a Case Manager at Nationwide Insurance, eventually shifting to healthcare as an Improvement Coordinator at OhioHealth. In recent years, however, it seems like she is focusing more on her family as there are hardly any updates on her social media profiles.

Who are James Laurinaitis’ parents?

James Laurinaitis comes from a truly fascinating background. He’s the son of the legendary professional wrestler Joe Laurinaitis, popularly known by his ring name “Road Warrior Animal”. His father was one of the most iconic figures in sports, winning numerous accolades over his career, and getting inducted in 4 different Halls of Fame. But it wasn’t just his dad who profoundly influenced James; his uncles Marcus and John Laurinaitis, who were accomplished international wrestlers, impacted his athletic and competitive spirit.

James’ influence doesn’t stop on his father’s side, as his mother, Julie Laurinaitis, had an impressive athletic background. She was a bodybuilder, a powerlifter, and a high school track and swim athlete. Growing up, James was surrounded by a wealth of athletic knowledge and support. This guidance led him to become a standout athlete during his high school and college years. Not only did he excel at football, but he was also a talented ice hockey player. At one point, James was even considered as a potential National Hockey League (NHL) draft pick.

Does James Laurinaitis have kids?

Yes, Shelly and James Laurinaitis are proud parents to three daughters named: London, Hayden, and Remi. Recently, they expanded their gang by welcoming a fourth little one. The arrival of their son, Maverick Levi Laurinaitis, was made in a quite hilarious manner on an Instagram post captioned, “Born to be a Buckeye (If not, he’s paying for his own college)”.

Despite his busy career, it seems like James makes strong efforts to spend quality time with his growing family. He often shares these cherished moments with his loved ones on his Instagram. Whether it’s attending games or just enjoying family time, fans can see the Laurinaitis offering their support for James.

What is James Laurinaitis’ net worth?

While the exact details of James Laurinaitis’ net worth are not available, it’s estimated that his career has landed him in a well-off situation. It’s known that coaches at Ohio State are one of the highest-paid coaches in the country. Some sources reveal that his initial contract with OSU came with an annual salary of $350,000 for the first two years. During his time as an NFL player, it was reported that his career earnings were worth approximately $35 million, all of which were salaries.

After being selected by the St. Louis Rams in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft, Laurinaitis enjoyed a rewarding career spanning over eight seasons, primarily with the St. Louis Rams and a brief period with the New Orleans Saints. Since retiring from football, Laurinaitis has begun his coaching career, with roles as a graduate assistant at Notre Dame and later at Ohio State, where he currently serves as the linebackers coach.