December 14, 2012

Blue Jackets forward R.J. Umberger has spent his time during the NHL lockout helping the Ohio State Buckeyes. (MATT SULLIVAN/Reuters file photo)

The expression “Those who can’t do, teach,” isn’t supposed to be about filling one’s time during an NHL lockout — except in the case of R.J. Umberger, where it describes his winter perfectly.

He can’t play in the NHL because the league is shut down for its regularly scheduled maintenance, so he’s now Coach Umberger — sharing his hockey knowledge with the players at Ohio State University.

A partnership that began with Umberger asking last summer if he could skate with his alma mater in the event of a lockout has morphed into a full-on volunteer coaching position.