Ohio State’s Ryan Day isn’t a traditional hire, but he’s the right hire

“If Ohio State was your dream job, you almost certainly needed to leave Ohio State to have a chance at it. You needed to run your own program in order to prove you could lead the Buckeyes. That idea has changed.”

- Doug Lesmerises, Cleveland.com

With the announcement of Urban Meyer retiring after the Rose Bowl, Ryan Day was given the keys to the program and will become Ohio State’s new head coach starting next year. The move isn’t all that surprising, despite Meyer stating in previous weeks that he plans to coach in 2019. But Ryan Day was rumored to be lining up for the job anyway, and now he’s taken Meyer’s place. What’s so interesting about the entire process and decision though, is the fact that Day doesn’t have a previous connection to the school and program.

Day’s command of the team during the first three games of the season was admirable, however, and he clearly earned the respect from the team and the rest of the coaching staff. Greg Schiano during the offseason spoke about Day’s ability to lead and how his coaching style is much different than others including Meyer. Either way, it’s Day’s team now, and it’s an exciting new chapter for the Buckeyes.

“Most important matchup: Who is going to make more big plays? Or perhaps more importantly, who is going to be able to prevent them? Gaskin has to be licking his chops while watching an Ohio State defense that has allowed six rushing touchdowns of at least 75 yards this season, which is more than any FBS defense in the past 15 years.”

- Kyle Bonagura and Dan Murphy, ESPN

With the Rose Bowl set between Washington and Ohio State, the breakdowns have started. The Buckeyes are coming off huge wins over Michigan and Northwestern in the Big Ten championship, missing out on making the College Football Playoff, but will be looking to send head coach Urban Meyer into the sunset with a win. They’ll have the work cut out for them on defense facing off against running back Myles Gaskin. Gaskin provides a real threat to the Buckeyes and gives the Huskies their best chance to win.

Although Jake Browning has been at quarterback for Washington for what seems like forever, the Huskies have had trouble consistently attacking through the air. And despite an Ohio State defense that has been prone to giving up big plays, the Buckeyes have shown much improvement over the past two weeks and will likely be the favorites heading into the game.

“In what would end up being the final home game of his coaching career at Ohio State, Meyer made sure he left The Game and those watching it with something to remember.”

- Nick Clarkson, Lettermen Row

Nick Clarkson of Lettermen Row gave a list of the best games during Urban Meyer’s tenure thus far, and although the Rose Bowl has yet to be played, these games surely have a place in the minds of Ohio State fans. The five biggest wins according to Clarkson came in the shape of the 2012 win over Michigan, Meyer’s first win over his rival, the 2014 Sugar Bowl win over Alabama in the national semifinal, 2016’s double overtime win over Michigan, the epic comeback over Penn State in 2017, and finally 2018’s upset win over the Wolverines.

There are plenty of great moments left off that list (how about the national championship win, for starters) but also unsung favorites such as the win over Purdue when Kenny Guiton came in for the injured Braxton Miller to help keep the Buckeyes undefeated.

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