Ohio State and its fan base are expressing deep frustration with head coach Ryan Day after the Buckeyes suffered yet another loss to Michigan at home on Saturday. This defeat marks the fourth consecutive time that Ohio State has fallen to its arch-rival, leaving fans and alumni increasingly disillusioned.
The sentiment around Columbus is that the only way for Day to regain favor with the Buckeye faithful is to deliver a national championship this season.
Speculation has also begun to swirl about potential replacements for Day, should Ohio State decide to part ways with their head coach. The idea of a coaching change is gaining traction, and conversations are turning to who might be next in line to lead the Buckeyes if Day’s tenure comes to an end.
On Monday, ESPN college football reporter Jake Trotter joined 850 ESPN Cleveland and discussed three possible candidates Ohio State could pursue if they decide to move on from Ryan Day. Trotter’s list included three prominent names: Mike Vrabel, Marcus Freeman, and Matt Campbell. However, both Vrabel and Freeman were quickly dismissed by the hosts as unlikely options.
Mike Vrabel, a former Buckeye standout and assistant coach, is currently the head coach of the Tennessee Titans in the NFL. Vrabel played for Ohio State in the 1990s and later returned to coach the defensive line from 2011 to 2013 before moving to the professional ranks.
Despite his ties to the university, the consensus is that Vrabel is firmly entrenched in the NFL and would be reluctant to return to the college coaching scene. His successful career in the pros and the general perception that he prefers the NFL lifestyle make him a longshot candidate.
Marcus Freeman, another name floated by Trotter, also has strong ties to Ohio State, having played linebacker for the Buckeyes in the mid-2000s. Freeman is currently in his third full season as the head coach at Notre Dame, leading the Fighting Irish to an impressive 11-1 record this season.
Given the success Freeman has had at Notre Dame, it seems unlikely that he would leave his current post, particularly to take on the pressures of coaching at Ohio State, where expectations are sky-high and patience is often in short supply.
The third name on Trotter’s list is Matt Campbell, who has garnered significant attention for his work at Iowa State. Campbell, an Ohio native, has been the head coach of the Cyclones since 2016, and this season his team has posted a strong 10-2 record.
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Campbell’s Ohio roots and his track record of building a competitive program in the Big 12 have put him back in the spotlight as a top candidate for a major coaching position. Unlike Vrabel and Freeman, Campbell might be more open to the idea of taking over at Ohio State, especially given his ties to the state and the opportunity to lead one of college football’s premier programs.
Ryan Day’s overall record at Ohio State stands at 63-10 over his six full seasons as head coach, which, on the surface, appears to be an outstanding achievement. However, the impressive win-loss record has been overshadowed by the repeated failures against Michigan.
Four straight losses to the Wolverines have marred otherwise successful seasons, leading to growing discontent among the fan base.
For Day, the pressure is on to deliver a national championship, as anything less might not be enough to secure his future in Columbus.
