Saying Adam Stewart is living the good life might be an understatement.

Outside of the drive from Miami, Fla. to Ohio he’s embarking on today, things are going really well for the 27-year old St. Clairsville graduate.

Once Stewart arrives back in the Buckeye State, he’ll have about a week to get things situated before embarking on his new career in his old stomping grounds.

Stewart has been hired as the Director of Rehabilitation and head physical therapist for the Ohio State University football program. He officially begins his new job on May 26.

“I’m heading back to football,” Stewart said during a phone interview. “I just couldn’t get enough.”

Late last month, Stewart flew to Columbus and spent two days interviewing for the Buckeyes’ position. According to Stewart, Athletic Director Gene Smith, head football coach Urban Meyer, strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti, members of the football medical staff and human resources were all involved with the interview.

“It was an exciting process,” Stewart said. “Growing up a Buckeye fan and growing up in Ohio made it exciting. I was prepared for what I wanted to do and what they were going to ask me to do. I was able to be myself and be very honest.”

Stewart made quite the impact because he was offered the job just days later. He also had a job offer from the Patriots on the table.

So, here came the first adult decision for Stewart. What job does he take? Both are top-shelf organizations and programs that he has experience with.

“It came down to the autonomy of the job at Ohio State,” Stewart admitted. “Basically, they said I could make the position what I want it to be and they’re giving me more free reign of what to do. Plus, the factor of coming home (to Ohio) played a role, too. It really felt like home being back in Columbus.”

Maybe the biggest selling point for Stewart was Ohio State is providing him the chance to teach. He will be teaching a theraputic exercise class in the spring term.

“I’ve had a passion for teaching, too,” Stewart admitted. “It won’t overlap with the actual football season.”

In his new position, Stewart will oversee the players’ rehabilitation from all injuries. He will also work with the training staff and strength and conditioning.

“I’ll be doing more things than I did as a trainer, but there will be some more of what I did as a trainer, too,” Stewart offered. “I’ll still do taping and on-field stuff will be similar, but most of my job will be rehab and physical therapy based.”

Stewart has been away from the game for three years. Not necessarily by his choice, but because it was a step he needed to take to enhance himself, professionally.

But, with his prior training and now additional schooling, it’ll be just like riding a bike.

“If you’re looking at it from the outside, I think it could be pressure packed. It’s a matter of being confident in what you’ve been taught and what you’ve learned are the right things. The experiences I have will help guide me through situations.”

After spending 2.5 years on the training staff with the New England Patriots, including a Super Bowl season, Stewart stepped away to step back into the classroom.

The owner of Bachelor’s of Science in Athletic Training from Ohio State, Stewart enrolled at the University of Miami’s doctorate of physical therapy program.

“It was a matter of setting myself up for the future,” Stewart said. “I now have dual credentials with athletic training and physical therapy. That lets me be a little more versatile in what I can do and where I can work, so I was trying to set up my future.”

Stewart completed the three-year program this spring and formally received his diploma on May 7, giving him the title of Doctor of Physical Therapy.

“It seems like I’ve been in school all my life,” Stewart joked. “I’m at the point where I am ready to move on (into the work world), but the three years in Miami were incredible. It was as good as I could have asked for.”

Even when Stewart enrolled at Miami, he always had the goal of getting back into football.

“The end goal has always been professional or high major Division I,” Stewart said. “I was lucky enough to have some good opportunities.”

SETH’S SCOOPS

• MAGNOLIA graduate Justin Fox, who is a senior third baseman at West Virginia University, was recently named to the all-academic Big 12 team.