Sam McGrath | Position Assistant, Defense

Sam McGrath

Title:
Position Assistant, Defense
Email:
mcgrath.260@osu.edu

Sam McGrath joined the Ohio State football program in 2022 and currently serves as a position assistant for the defense. Before arriving in Columbus, he spent seven seasons on the coaching staff at Duke.

McGrath was promoted to Duke’s assistant linebackers coach in January 2021 after previously serving three seasons in a defensive quality control role. He also spent three years as a graduate assistant, working primarily with the linebackers.

A native of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, McGrath previously coached at Wagner College in 2014 as outside linebackers and safeties coach, at Stevenson University from 2013-14 as a graduate assistant, and at Fairleigh Dickinson in 2012 as outside linebackers coach and assistant special teams coordinator.

McGrath graduated from Brown University in 2012 and earned a master’s degree from Stevenson University in 2014. He later earned a master’s degree in Christian studies from Duke University in 2017.

McGrath is married to former Duke diver Abby Johnston, who won a silver medal in the synchronized 3-meter springboard at the 2012 London Olympics and also competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics in the individual 3-meter event. The couple has two daughters, Rosemary and Elaine.