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Ohio State Football: Grading the 2023 Buckeye coaching staff

By Frank Teriaca

Nov 18, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day and safeties coach Perry Eliano smile on the sideline during the NCAA football game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium.
Nov 18, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day and safeties coach Perry Eliano smile on the sideline during the NCAA football game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium. /
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The Ohio State football team wasn’t as explosive on offense this season. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus DispatchNcaa Football Michigan Wolverines At Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State football team wasn’t as explosive on offense this season. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus DispatchNcaa Football Michigan Wolverines At Ohio State Buckeyes /

Tony Alford continues to get it done at a high clip for this Ohio State coaching staff. He helped develop TreVeyon Henderson into one of the more dynamic players in all of college football and helped take a one-time linebacker in Chip Traynum and developed him into a very good number-two back.

And Allford delivered in a big way in the 24′ recruiting class by obtaining four-star running backs James Peoples and Jordan Lyle. I am perfectly content with Alford as the running backs coach for the Ohio State football team.

I had higher expectations of Frye following his hiring two years ago from UCLA. Frye did a nice job last year in finishing off the development of future NFL players Dewand Jones and Paris Johnson, but the development. of the players still on the roster is concerning.

Guards Matthew Jones and Donovan Jackson regressed in year two under Frye and the tackle situation was worrisome all season long. Right tackle Josh Fryar proved that he’s nothing more than a good backup swing tackle and incoming transfer Josh Simmons showed why he was playing at San Diego State last season.

The biggest concern though is with Frye’s recruiting. He failed to deliver on a big-time prospect for the 24′ class and that will only compound the offensive line issue as a whole. I am very concerned with this unit heading into the off-season.

Bailey stepped in for outgoing offensive coordinator/ TE Coach Kevin Wilson last offseason and performed adequately. The tight end play was fine in 2023 between Cade Stover and Gee Scott. Freshman Jelani Thurman also showed why he was a top-100 recruit in limited action. Hopefully, his development will continue this offseason.

Dennis is probably the hardest coach on staff to give a letter grade to. He obviously is working hard with the quarterbacks and on the recruiting front. It was said that Dennis was the biggest reason why the Ohio State football team was able to flip Lincoln Kienholz from Washington in last year’s recruiting class.

But the QBs are definitely still under Ryan Day’s watch. Dennis did help a first-year starting quarterback in throwing for over 3,000 yards and 24 touchdown passes. With McCord, Devin Brown, Kienholz, and incoming freshman Air Noland all in the room this offseason, Dennis has major responsibilities to the Buckeyes’ success in 2024 and beyond.

Brian Hartline continues to perform at a high level as a receivers coach. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka will both be first-round NFL Draft picks in this April’s draft class as freshmen Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss are primed to take their spots in 24′.

Hartline continues to recruit well, getting the No. 1 overall player in the 2024 class, Jeremiah Smith, to commit to the Buckeyes.

Hartline as an offensive coordinator is an incomplete grade. He did not call plays in 23.’ I’m sure he had major input in preparing game plans but to what extent is impossible to know.

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