Ohio State Football: Why house cleaning was great move by Ryan Day
Like Urban Meyer did when he took over as the Ohio State head coach, Ryan Day made major changes to the coaching staff, and that was a great move.
When Urban Meyer took over as the Ohio State head coach it was obvious he was going to let go of most of the assistant coaches. He had to install his offense with guys he thought who could coach it, and changes had to be made on the other side of the ball as the Buckeyes were coming off a losing season.
The result, Ohio State was 12-0 in 2012.
When Ryan Day took over he knew he only had to fill his old position as quarterbacks coach because he had a great relationship with the assistants and Mike Yurcich was a great hire. The Buckeyes had one of the best offenses in the country during the 2018 season and there was no reason to fix what wasn’t broken.
It was a different story on the defensive side of the ball though. Coach Day cleaned house, and he should have.
That’s not to say Greg Schiano, Alex Grinch, Bill Davis and Taver Johnson aren’t good coaches as all have had success in the past. It just never looked like the group meshed well.
Coach Day set out to change that situation, and with the things reported in the spring and so far during fall camp I think he accomplished his goal.
More from Ohio State Football
- Ohio State Football: How Denzel Burke has bounced back so far this season
- Ohio State Football rolling into form at the perfect time
- How Ohio State football has done historically versus new Big 12
- Ohio State Football: We need to see “Killer Ryan Day” at South Bend
- Ohio State Football vs. Notre Dame Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for College Football Week 4
He hired Jeff Hafley to take over as the secondary coach as well as being co-defensive coordinator. There won’t be a conflict between the cornerbacks and safeties coaches unless Hafley wants to argue with himself.
Co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison and linebackers coach Al Washington came down from that state up north the two should get along fine. Mattison coached the defensive line last year and Michigan had one of the best front sevens in the country.
Appropriately, one coach on defense was retained. Who would get rid of Larry Johnson, the best defensive line coach in college football?
But how will he fit in with the new guys? With everything I have read about coach Johnson over the years, I think he can get along with anybody.
dark. Next. Secondary ready to earn DBU status again
Ryan Day has assembled a terrific coaching staff during his short time as the Ohio State head coach. More importantly, it’s the guys he wanted on his staff who he expects to be on the same page, and that can make a big difference whether his first season will be a successful one or not.