The confetti had barely settled from Ohio State’s national championship celebration when the Buckeyes were hit with a brutal wake-up call. Defensive mastermind Jim Knowles? Gone. Offensive line coach Justin Frye? Gone. And now, just weeks after helping Ohio State hoist the trophy, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has bolted for the NFL, taking the OC job with the Las Vegas Raiders. This isn’t just a coaching shuffle—it’s a full-scale exodus, and Ryan Day is left scrambling to keep his program from unraveling.
Ohio State’s Coaching Crisis: The Fallout Begins
The Buckeyes’ staff has been gutted at the worst possible time. Knowles, who turned Ohio State’s defense into an impenetrable fortress, has taken his talents to Penn State—securing a record-breaking $3.1 million salary, making him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football. Meanwhile, Kelly, who was expected to revolutionize the Buckeye offense, is heading back to the NFL, leaving Day without the two strategic minds that helped lead OSU to the top.
For Day, the clock is ticking. With both his offensive and defensive generals gone, he faces a daunting task: finding replacements who can maintain Ohio State’s dominance. The challenge? It’s not just about hiring good coaches—it’s about finding game-changers who can immediately step in and keep the Buckeyes on top. And according to national analyst Josh Pate, the situation is even more dire than it seems.
Josh Pate Sounds the Alarm: A Brutal Reality Check for Ryan Day
In a recent CBS Sports segment, Josh Pate didn’t hold back. He delivered a reality check that shook Buckeye Nation. His advice to Ryan Day? Don’t just go after coordinators—think bigger.
“If I were Ryan Day, I’d be calling active head coaches right now, not coordinators,” Pate declared. He even threw out some surprising names, like Penn State’s James Franklin and Indiana’s Curt Cignetti—not because they’d necessarily take the job, but because that’s the level of aggressive move Ohio State needs to make.
Why? Because the coaching landscape has changed. “Some head coaches at the Group of Five level have privately told me that if the right coordinator position came open at the Power Five level, they’d take it,” Pate revealed. In other words, some coaches see stepping into a high-profile OC or DC role at a powerhouse program like Ohio State as a better move than staying in a shaky Group of Five head coaching job.
It’s a stunning shift in college football’s coaching hierarchy. Traditionally, coaches climbed the ranks by excelling as a Power Five coordinator before moving up to a head coaching role. But with the instability of mid-tier programs, some coaches now prefer the security and prestige of leading an elite unit at a blue-blood program rather than gambling on a head coaching gig with an uncertain future.
Who Will Replace Kelly and Knowles? Ryan Day’s Next Big Move
The departures of Kelly and Knowles leave massive shoes to fill. Kelly’s offense helped the Buckeyes rank 12th in points per game (35.7) and 28th in total yards per game (429.4). Meanwhile, Knowles’ defense was a nightmare for opposing offenses, ranking first in total defense and leading the nation in scoring defense. Replacing that kind of impact won’t be easy, but Ohio State has options.
Offensive Coordinator Candidates
- Brian Hartline: The natural in-house choice. Hartline has been Ohio State’s wide receivers coach since 2018 and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2023. Elevating him to full-time play-caller would provide continuity and reward a rising coaching star.
- Jason Candle: The Toledo head coach is known for his offensive brilliance. If he’s looking to make the jump to a Power Five coordinator role, Ohio State could be the perfect landing spot.
Defensive Coordinator Candidates
- Matt Guerrieri: Already a senior advisor and analyst at OSU, Guerrieri has experience as Duke’s co-defensive coordinator. His familiarity with Ohio State’s system makes him a strong contender for the job.
- Jim Leonhard: The former Wisconsin defensive coordinator is widely regarded as one of the top defensive minds in college football. If Ohio State wants to maintain its defensive dominance, Leonhard would be a home-run hire.
Can Ryan Day Hold Ohio State Together?
The pressure is on. Winning a national championship was just the beginning—now, Ryan Day faces his toughest challenge yet. Can he rebuild his coaching staff without losing momentum? Will he take Josh Pate’s advice and go after head coaches rather than just coordinators?
One thing’s for sure: all eyes are on Columbus. The next few weeks will define whether Ohio State remains a powerhouse or stumbles under the weight of its own success. Buckeye Nation is waiting—and Ryan Day has no room for error.
