Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State Faces Major Staff Shakeup Following National Championship Victory
Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes may have just reached the mountaintop by securing a national championship, but the celebration has been short-lived. Since hoisting the trophy, the program has been thrown into the chaos of a rapidly shifting coaching staff and external pressure on its top recruits.
Key Players Stay Put Amid Poaching Attempts
Almost immediately after Ohio State’s championship win, rumors began circulating about powerhouse programs attempting to lure away two of the Buckeyes’ premier wide receivers—Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. The recruitment battles never truly end in college football, and even after players sign, other programs often look for ways to flip them. However, Ohio State managed to hold strong, as both Smith and Tate opted to stay in Columbus rather than entertain outside offers.
That victory off the field was a significant one for Day and his staff, but the challenges didn’t stop there.
Coaching Departures Leave Major Holes
Ohio State suffered a major blow on the coaching front, losing both of its top coordinators. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who helped transform the Buckeyes’ defense into one of the nation’s best, left to take the same position with Big Ten rival Penn State. On the other side of the ball, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly—who had just arrived in Columbus last offseason—jumped at the chance to return to the NFL as the offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders.
To make matters even more difficult, offensive line coach Justin Frye has also moved on, leaving for a job in the NFL. That leaves Day with three crucial positions to fill, all while maintaining Ohio State’s standard of excellence.
Day’s Approach to the Search
Despite the upheaval, Day remains calm and confident in his approach to finding replacements. Speaking about the search, he made it clear that he anticipated these changes and had contingency plans in place.
“I knew that right after the game this was going to happen like this, and so you have plans in place,” Day said. “But we’re going to make sure that we take our time and find the right guys, because it’s Ohio State.”
Patience is key in this process. Rushing to make hires simply to fill positions isn’t an option for a program that expects to compete for another national championship in 2025. Day is committed to finding the best candidates possible, ensuring that the Buckeyes maintain their elite status.
What’s Next for Ohio State?
Despite the coaching departures, the Buckeyes remain one of the most talent-rich teams in the country. With a loaded roster and strong recruiting classes, Ohio State has all the pieces to make another run at a title. The key will be finding the right coaches to continue the momentum.
The Buckeyes have already been linked to multiple potential hires, and speculation will continue to swirl until official announcements are made. Fans should expect more news in the coming weeks as Day finalizes his new staff.
Ohio State may be going through a period of transition, but the program remains a powerhouse. If Day makes the right hires and the players take the next step in their development, another championship run could be on the horizon.
