Mike Vrabel, a 14-year NFL veteran, announced his retirement Monday from the Kansas City Chiefs and said he was joining the coaching staff at Ohio State.
Vrabel, 35, is to be linebackers coach at OSU where his former college roommate and teammate, Luke Fickell, is interim head coach.
"I am very excited to become a part of Luke Fickell's staff at Ohio State," Vrabel said. "I have great faith and trust in Luke leading the Buckeye football team as he represents all the core values integral for a program's success, and I am looking forward to working with our student-athletes as I begin the next phase of my career."
After a career at Ohio State in which he was twice selected the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, Vrabel was a 1997 draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played four years in Pittsburgh before signing with the New England Patriots. Vrabel played in New England from 2001-08 and was on three Super Bowl winning teams. He was a Pro Bowl selection after the 2007 season.
Vrabel, along with quarterback Matt Cassel, was traded to Kansas City in February 2009.
Over his NFL career, Vrabel had 57 sacks, 11 interceptions and 17 forced fumbles. He also caught 10 passes for touchdowns as a tight end in goal-line situations.
Fickell was named the Buckeyes' interim head coach after Jim Tressel resigned May 30 following allegations of rules violations.