So far, so good for Ryan Day at Ohio State.
After pummeling Nebraska last Saturday on primetime television, we’re seeing the reasons Ohio State turned to the former coordinator with no head-coaching experience to replace three-time national championship coach Urban Meyer. If Day is learning on the job, it doesn’t look like it.
Yes, they’ve only played five games. Yes, they haven’t played anyone.
But Ohio State looks good — really good.
We asked our staff: Could Ohio State actually be better without Meyer?
ASHLEY BASTOCK
I think It would be unfair to say that Ohio State is better off without one of the best coaches college football has ever seen; that being said, obviously Ryan Day has taken this team and not missed a beat. A lot of the aspects and talent that have made the Buckeyes so good this season are there because of Meyer, but Day has done a great job of utilizing those pieces, minimizing growing pains, balancing the offense, and helping to transform a defense (through new hires especially) that was lackluster last season. Ohio State is good because of both coaches, not in spite of either one.
BRIAN BUCKEY
I think it's too early to say that Ohio State is better without Urban Meyer. Yes, everything is going more than well for Ohio State with new coach Ryan Day. The Buckeyes look dominant so far and appear to be one of the best teams in the nation. But I don't think you can understate the consistency of Meyer at Ohio State. He was 83-9 overall with the Buckeyes and 54-4 in the Big Ten. Those are remarkable numbers that would be hard to replicate for any coach. Ohio State is in a great place right now with Ryan Day leading the way, but I just don't think you can say definitively that they are better off without Meyer.
DAVID BRIGGS
Interesting question. No, Ohio State is not better off without a three-time national champion and one of the greatest coaches of all time. Let's be serious. Meyer is unsurpassed as a recruiter, program builder, and motivator, and the biggest reason Ryan Day is off to a strong start is because of the Meyer infrastructure. But ... is it possible the Buckeyes look better in the short term under Day? Absolutely. Day's willingness to clean out the old boys club on the defensive coaching staff and a teamwide motivation to prove Ohio State isn't going anywhere has the Buckeyes cooking.
NICHOLAS PIOTROWICZ
I'll wait until Ohio State plays a ranked team to say that it's better off without someone who won everywhere he went and was the coach of three national championship teams in 17 years. Ryan Day is off to a really, really good start. He's a smart in-game coach and a deft recruiter whose honestly sells at households of every type. But at Ohio State, coaches are measured on whether they beat Michigan, win the Big Ten, and compete for national championships. In the long run, nobody in Columbus cares if OSU looked really good against Florida Atlantic or even Nebraska if the Buckeyes lose their big games. For better or worse, the tenures of Ohio State coaches are made or broken once the weather turns cold.
KYLE ROWLAND
This is a tricky question. Urban Meyer is one of the greatest coaches in college football history, so any program would be better off having him as its head coach. But that doesn’t mean Ohio State can’t be great with Ryan Day. Obviously, he inherited a good situation, he has an outstanding quarterback, and hired a tremendous staff. Day’s offense is tailored perfectly to the athletes OSU has and continues to recruit. Chances are the Day era in Columbus will be flush with victories.
First Published October 2, 2019, 5:37 p.m.
