Winning a national championship is supposed to be the pinnacle of success, the moment when a team cements its dynasty and prepares for future dominance. But for Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes, that dream is quickly morphing into a nightmare. What started as a victory lap is now a full-scale exodus, with top-tier coaches abandoning ship faster than Day can plug the holes.
First, defensive mastermind Jim Knowles took off for Penn State, sending shockwaves through the program. Then, offensive line coach Justin Frye packed his bags. And now, in the most stunning departure yet, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly is heading back to the NFL.
Ohio State fans are in disbelief. Rival fans? They’re cracking jokes. And Ryan Day? He’s staring down the biggest rebuild of his career.
Chip Kelly’s NFL Move: A Crushing Blow to Ohio State
In a move that left Buckeye Nation reeling, Chip Kelly has accepted the offensive coordinator position with the Las Vegas Raiders. This isn’t just any coach leaving—it’s the architect of the offense that just delivered a national title.
After a brief stint at Ohio State, Kelly jumps ship in less than a year, leaving Ryan Day scrambling to find a new play-caller before the Buckeyes even finish polishing their championship rings.
For Kelly, this marks a return to the NFL, where he previously had a rollercoaster tenure with the Eagles and 49ers. Love him or hate him, the guy knows offense. He turned Oregon into a national powerhouse (46-7 record) and was the mastermind behind Ohio State’s high-flying attack last season, culminating in a 34-23 championship victory over Notre Dame.
So why leave so soon? Money talks, and the NFL doesn’t wait.
NFL insider Aaron Wilson reported that former Seahawks OC Darrell Bevell was initially in the running for the Raiders’ job. But new head coach Pete Carroll had other plans, swooping in to steal Kelly away from Ohio State.
And just like that, the Buckeyes lost the mind behind their offensive firepower.
Ohio State’s Offense in Jeopardy—Who Can Save It?
Kelly’s departure leaves a gaping hole in Ohio State’s offensive brain trust, and the pressure is on to find a replacement fast.
One internal candidate? Co-offensive coordinator Brian Hartline.
Hartline is one of the best recruiters in college football, especially when it comes to developing elite wide receivers. But there’s a problem—his play-calling hasn’t exactly set the world on fire.
In 2023, Ohio State’s offense ranked 45th nationally in scoring. That’s a massive drop-off from the dominance Buckeye fans expect. Can Hartline handle the pressure of leading the offense, or will Ryan Day need to look elsewhere?
And if the Buckeyes can’t replace Kelly effectively, what happens to five-star freshman Jeremiah Smith, who just put up 1,311 yards and 15 touchdowns under Kelly’s system?
Let’s just say, fans of rival teams are already circling like sharks.
Rival Fans Are Loving Every Second of Ohio State’s Chaos
If there’s one thing Michigan fans love more than beating Ohio State, it’s watching them suffer. And right now, they’re feasting.
When news broke of Chip Kelly’s exit, Jeremiah Smith—the freshman WR sensation—reacted with a heartbroken “Nooo 💔” on social media. That was all Michigan fans needed.
One jumped in to joke:
“You can come to Michigan, Jeremiah, no worries (just joking, calm down).”
Others weren’t so subtle:
“COME TO MIAMI JEREMIAH.”
And as Ohio State’s post-championship unraveling continues, the Buckeyes are becoming the butt of every joke:
“OSU got gutted. OC, DC, OL coach. What’s next, Ryan Day to the CFL?”
“I guess it’s not ‘just different’ being a Buckeye after all.”
Ouch.
Is This Just the Cost of Success, or Is Something Deeper Happening?
Ohio State fans are asking the biggest question of all—why is this happening?
Sure, winning a championship means other teams will poach your best coaches. That’s just part of the game. But this much turnover, this quickly? Something feels off.
- Jim Knowles chased a $3.1 million per year deal at Penn State.
- Chip Kelly jumped at the chance for an NFL payday.
- Justin Frye followed the money trail too.
And while NIL and the transfer portal have been blamed for tearing teams apart, this isn’t just about players leaving—it’s the coaches too.
Plus, there’s one more wrinkle: Ohio State just revealed a $38 million athletic department deficit for 2024.
Could financial struggles be playing a role in these departures?
Is Ryan Day struggling to keep his program intact?
Ryan Day Is Officially on the Hot Seat—Can He Stop the Bleeding?
For all the highs of a national championship, Ryan Day now faces his toughest test yet.
- His coaching staff is crumbling.
- His offensive identity is in limbo.
- Rival teams are circling for his top players.
Day was already under pressure before this, constantly compared to Jim Harbaugh and criticized for not being able to beat Michigan. Now, with the foundation of his program shaking, the doubts are louder than ever.
Can he find the right hires to stabilize the team?
Or is Ohio State’s title window already closing?
One thing is clear—this is no longer just a “rebuild.”
It’s a full-blown survival mission.
And right now, Ryan Day is running out of time.
