The Ohio State football team was not expecting to be sitting at home with nothing to do at this point. They were fully expecting to take down Miami in the Cotton Bowl. Instead, they were upset after not scoring any points in the first half of that game against the Hurricanes.
In that game, Ryan Day was the play-caller because Brian Hartline had those duties taken away. With Hartline now becoming the head coach for USF, Day needs to find a new offensive coordinator to take over play-calling duties. The Cotton Bowl made it clear that Day can't continue to be the play-caller.
Day doesn't seem to have a lot of options right now. However, there is one option that hasn't been talked about much that he needs to consider. Day needs to look at the NFL ranks and bring a former player back to become the offensive coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Ryan Day should bring J.T. Barrett in to be Ohio State's offensive coordinator
Former Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett should get serious consideration to be Ohio State's next offensive coordinator. The all-time leader in passing yards would be an excellent choice for Day to bring in as the OC. Not only is he an alum, but he has been rising up the coaching ranks in the NFL.
Barrett started his coaching journey with the Lions as an offensive assistant under Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson. After that, he was the assistant quarterbacks coach for two seasons in Detroit. This year, he followed Johnson to Chicago and was hired to be the quarterbacks coach.
Under Barrett, Caleb Williams set the single-season record for most passing yards in Bears history. Barrett is coaching under one of the most respected minds in the NFL and is clearly doing a very good job. He is gaining respect around the league as a bright, young mind.
While Barrett has never called plays before, he might get some looks for OC positions in the NFL in the next couple of seasons. Day needs to strike now while he still can to bring him back to Columbus and let him help Julian Sayin become the best version of himself.