Ohio State has added a longtime NFL assistant and renowned taekwondo instructor to its defensive staff.
Joe Kim, who’s worked for 11 different NFL teams as a pass rush consultant and skill development coach, has joined Ohio State’s staff to work with the defensive line, Lettermen Row reported Tuesday.
| Years | University/Organization | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Illinois | Skill Development Coordinator |
| 2019-24 | New England Patriots | Director of Skill Development |
| 2018 | New England Patriots | Pass Rush Consultant |
| 2017 | Football Combatives | Head Coach/Founder |
| 2016 | Cleveland Browns | Skill Development Coach |
| 2015 | Washington Redskins | Skill Development/Assistant Strength Coach |
| 2014 | Chicago Bears | Skill Development/Assistant Strength Coach |
| 2010-13 | Kansas City Chiefs | Pass Rush Consultant |
| 2010 | New York Giants | Pass Rush Consultant |
| 2009-10 | Penn State | Pass Rush Consultant |
| 2009 | Buffalo Bills | Pass Rush Consultant |
| 2007 | Denver Broncos | Pass Rush Consultant |
| 2005 | Green Bay Packers | Pass Rush Consultant |
| 2001-06 | Miami Dolphins | Pass Rush Consultant |
| 1999-2000 | Cleveland Browns | Assistant Strength Coach/Pass Rush Specialist |
| 1998 | Dallas Cowboys | Pass Rush Consultant |
| 1992-95 | Cleveland Browns | Assistant Strength Coach/Pass Rush Specialist |
Kim spent last season at Illinois as the Fighting Illini’s skill development coordinator. He’s the second new assistant to join the Buckeyes from Illinois this offseason, following special teams coordinator Robby Discher from Champaign to Columbus.
In addition to more than 30 years of coaching experience at the NFL and collegiate levels, Kim is also a renowned taekwondo instructor. According to his bio from last season at Illinois, Kim “is recognized as one of the most successful taekwondo instructors and coaches in the United States, having produced over 250 black belts as well as several national and international champions.”
Kim, who worked alongside Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia in his last NFL job as the director of skill development for the New England Patriots, received high praise from former Alabama coach Nick Saban during a 2024 episode of ESPN’s College GameDay.
“He teaches players how to attack a source, how to use and read a body position for weakness and strength. He’s the pass-rush guru,” Saban said, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Kim coached one of the nation’s top pass rushers last season at Illinois, helping Gabe Jacas earn first-team All-Big Ten honors and tie for second in the conference with 11 sacks. Now, Ohio State is turning to Kim to help Larry Johnson develop a group of Buckeye pass rushers that will include the likes of Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Zion Grady, Qua Russaw and Beau Atkinson, among others, in 2026.
