What to Know About Ryan Day, Ohio State's New Head Coach
Urban Meyer is leaving the sidelines after his seventh year at Ohio State concludes at the Rose Bowl, leaving Buckeyes offensive coordinator Ryan Day in charge of one of college football's most powerful programs.
The 39-year-old Day will officially take over after Ohio State's game against Washington in Pasadena on Jan. 1.
Day served as interim head coach for most of fall camp and the first three games of the season earlier this year when Meyer was placed on leave while the university investigated whether the coach knew about domestic violence allegations against former assistant coach Zach Smith. Day coached the Buckeyes to victories over Oregon State, Rutgers and TCU.
Here's a few facts to know about the new Ohio State coach:
Time at Ohio State:
Day joined Ohio State's coaching staff before the 2017 season as the quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator with Kevin Wilson. In January, Ohio State dropped the "co" from his title and named Day offensive coordinator.
He was also chosen to be Ohio State's play caller for the 2018 season. The Ohio State offense averaged 43.5 points per game in 2018 and ranked second in the nation in total offense.
Day's Résumé
Before coming to Ohio State, Day coached in the NFL for two years and spent 10 seasons as a Division I assistant coach.
Day started his career in 2002 coaching tight ends at New Hampshire, his alma mater. After working as a graduate assistant under Meyer at Florida in ’05, he spent time coaching wide receivers at Temple for a single season in ’06 under Al Golden. He went on to hold the same position at Boston College from ’07 to ’11.
Day returned to Temple as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for one more season in 2012. He went back to Boston College for two seasons under the same role.
Switching to the NFL, Day was a quarterbacks coach under Chip Kelly with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015 and the San Francisco 49ers in 2016. Day played as a quarterback for New Hampshire from 1998-2001, when Kelly was the school’s offensive coordinator.
Day's Influence on Ohio State Quarterbacks
Ohio State, led by quarterback J.T. Barrett, finished No. 36 in the nation in passing offense in 2017. The squad previously finished at No. 81 in 2016 and No. 100 in 2015.
Haskins set 27 records this season under Day's tutelage, including the Big Ten single-season marks for passing yards and passing touchdowns. On Monday night, he was named one of the three finalists for this year's Heisman Trophy, along with Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa and Oklahoma's Kyler Murray.
Day's Influence on Ohio State Quarterbacks:
Ohio State, led by quarterback J.T. Barrett, finished No. 36 in the nation in passing offense in 2017. The squad previously finished at No. 81 in 2016 and No. 100 in 2015.
Haskins set 27 records this season under Day's tutelage, including breaking Big Ten single–season marks for passing yards and passing touchdowns.
Day Was In High Demand:
The Titans offered the offensive coordinator position to Day for 2018 under new coach Mike Vrabel, who previously played and coached at Ohio State. Day reportedly considered taking the gig but turned it down.
He also declined an offer to become Mississippi State's head coach.
