Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has given an honest reaction to Chip Kelly’s departure for the Las Vegas Raiders. Kelly, who served as the Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator for just one season, played a key role in their national championship run. His exit, along with the recent departure of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to Penn State, means Day now faces the challenge of rebuilding his staff.
In an appearance on “The Joel Klatt Show,” Day shared that he and Kelly had previously discussed the possibility of an NFL move before Kelly even took the job.
“We talked about it—the fact that we had a really good group here. The dream was to win a national championship, and then he’d decide whether to stay or take an opportunity in the NFL. And that’s exactly what happened,”Day explained.
Despite Kelly’s short tenure, Day holds no hard feelings and looks forward to reminiscing about their time together in the future.
“One day, we’ll have a beer and talk about that incredible season. It’s going to be special because we all started together,”he added.
Kelly’s Impact on Ohio State’s Offense
Under Kelly’s leadership, Ohio State’s offense thrived. The Buckeyes finished the season tied for 12th in points per game (35.7) and 28th in total yards per game (429.4). His schemes helped maximize the talents of star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and quarterback Will Howard, propelling the team to victory.
Now, Day must focus on finding the right replacement for Kelly. Fortunately, with Ohio State not opening the 2025 season until August 30 against the Texas Longhorns, there is still time to make a well-calculated decision.
As the Buckeyes prepare for another championship run, all eyes will be on who steps in to fill the void left by Kelly.
