It’s not been an easy offseason for Ohio State. But the Buckeyes did the one thing USA Today’s Matt Hayes felt was necessary this offseason after beating Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game: keeping head coach Ryan Day.
Despite the major coordinator losses and transfer portal losses, Hayes believes Day is the fortifying figure that has kept the peace amidst the transactional chaos.
“In the two weeks since winning the College Football Playoff national championship game, it has become painfully obvious that nothing has changed in Columbus. Every day brings more make or break,” Hayes wrote.
“Like defensive coordinator Jim Knowles leaving for rival Penn State. Or offensive coordinator Chip Kelly bolting for the NFL.
“Or star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith posting cryptically on social media, and who knows what the next in line at quarterback will do — considering he left his previous school a year earlier because of coaching change.
“Relax, people. Ohio State already made the biggest move of the offseason.
“It kept Ryan Day.”
What a difference a historic run through the College Football Playoff field makes for a head coach.
Day was a punching bag for the media throughout the 2024 season. Losing to undefeated eventual Big Ten champion Oregon by a single point had many nervous that it would be the same old Ohio State, losing all the big games and disappointing when the lights are brightest. The Michigan loss had many thinking Day was a dead man walking in Columbus. Some still think that until OSU can knock off their Big Blue rivals.
Then, Tennessee, Oregon, and even Texas and Notre Dame, found themselves overmatched by a $20 million Buckeyes roster Day personally recruited.
Now, Day is seen as irreplaceable. Winning not only cures all ills, it creates positive press out of thin air where it never previously existed.
