Ohio State AD Gene Smith addresses Ryan Day, Urban Meyer coach-in-waiting report
Not long after Ohio State emerged with a 49-6 victory in Urban Meyer’s first game back on the sideline, an interesting report from The Athletic emerged.
The outlet reported that Ohio State is discussing a plan that would make Ryan Day, the offensive coordinator who served as OSU’s interim head coach while Meyer was suspended, the Buckeyes’ coach-in-waiting:
A person close to the program told The Athletic that senior university officials have begun discussions about a “coach-in-waiting” arrangement, meaning he would be Meyer’s eventual successor as Buckeyes coach. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the discussions are in progress. Day doesn’t have any head-coaching experience but did have a three-game trial run as Ohio State’s interim coach.
The report caught enough attention for Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith to issue a statement via Twitter on Sunday morning.
“We obviously are appreciative of Coach Day’s great work, and hope he continues to be one of our offensive coordinators for a long time, but we are more than confident Coach Meyer will be our head coach for quite some time. Thank you,” Smith wrote.
Day coached Ohio State to a 3-0 start
While Meyer served his suspension for mishandling the employment of former assistant Zach Smith, who was accused of domestic violence, Day coached the Buckeyes throughout preseason camp and to a 3-0 start to the regular season.
Before Saturday’s win over Tulane, Day led the way for victories over Oregon State, Rutgers and TCU. And before that, Day was a candidate for several outside jobs, including the head-coaching role at Mississippi State.
He also had an offer to be the offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans, but ultimately stayed with the Buckeyes after receiving a promotion (that included primary play-calling duties) and a raise.
Upon his return, Meyer had glowing praise for Day.
“I knew Coach Day was a difference maker when we hired him,” Meyer said.
Following Saturday’s victory, Meyer presented Day with the game ball.
“He was the first one to thank,” Meyer said. “It’s a healthy, strong program, and Ryan was exactly the guy we needed to lead it and get us through this, and he did a hell of a job.”
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