The Ohio State Program under Ryan Day has picked up where they left off with Urban Meyer. In fact, I wouldn’t have even noticed Urban Meyer was missing based on how well OSU has played. This shows a really good structure and a steadfast program to have transitioned so fluidly from one coach to another. This is not something easily achieved by just any program. They only other college football program I could see doing this would be Alabama, but I’m pretty sure Nick Saban will die before he stops coaching.
Time as Offensive Coordinator
Ryan Day has been on the offensive side of the ball coaching since he was at Temple as the WR coach back in ’06. Day was leaving Florida as a graduate assistant just as Urban Meyer started his time at Florida which lasted five seasons. Day has been working as either the WR, QB, or OC positions throughout his career, but he has been with Meyer and Ohio State since 2017. Clearly, he was doing something right because Ohio State named him acting head coach when the suspended Meyer for 3 games at the start of the 2018 season.
The Handover
When Urban Meyer handed over the reigns of an incredibly successful program to Ryan Day, I was skeptical. It’s hard to be a coach like Urban Meyer. It’s harder still to fill his shoes. Meyer handed Day the proverbial “coaches whistle” after the Rose Bowl game, which they won. Now, I talked briefly about Ryan Day and my concern at the start of the season. Oh, how I was wrong! Day has proven himself as more than able coach and with the system that Meyer has set up and he has plenty of back-up.
NFL Speculation
In recent weeks, there has been talk about Day possibly moving to the NFL after a very quick start at Ohio State. While I have no doubt in Day’s coaching ability, perhaps it is a little too soon to be putting him up at the professional level. At 40 years old, Day is not a young blood coach, compared to the likes of Sean McVay (33 y/o). Day will most likely be very successful at Ohio State and maybe in two to three years time he will get a call up to the NFL. I know the Washington Redskins are looking for someone. I think the meat grinder of college football, while far more stressful, is great for someone like Ryan Day and I wager that he will get at least one phone call by the end of the season to become the head coach of an NFL team.
No Slowing Down
The Ohio State program has shown no signs of slowing down as they are as dominant as ever this year. With a preseason ranking at number 5 and a new coach, a lot of expectation rested on their program because who knows what could happen with that type of dynamic. However, Ohio State has shown great resiliency in the ability to win and be dominant on the field. They are currently at number four having dropped a spot due to a bye week. Ohio State has a very high likelihood or making the playoffs and, I’m going to state it right here, winning the championship this year.
What do you think about Ryan Day? Is his early success giving rise to too much speculation? Will he be a bust in three years? Will he be offered an NFL position? You tell me.
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