Ryan Day Makes the Right Decision Giving Up Play Calling, But Coaching Staff Uncertainty Remains

A lot has happened in Ohio State football over the last five weeks, and Ryan Day still has to hire at least one more coach for the 2024 season.Ohio State reporters had their first chance to ask Day about everything that’s happened as he held his first press conference since the Cotton Bowl on Wednesday, giving us a lot to talk about on this week’s episode of Real Pod Wednesdays.We start, however, by talking about the one answer we didn’t get on Wednesday: Whether or not Bill O’Brien will still be Ohio State’s offensive coordinator this season. While Day spoke as though O’Brien will lead Ohio State’s offensive coaching staff in 2024, reports emerged later in the day that O’Brien is one of two finalists for Boston College’s head coaching job, setting up the distinct possibility that Ohio State will have to hire another offensive coordinator just weeks after hiring O’Brien.Either way, Day won’t be the one calling Ohio State’s offensive plays in 2024, and we dissected why that’s the right decision for the sixth-year head coach.Ohio State also still has another opening to fill on its coaching staff, and we talked about the possibility that OSU could either promote James Laurinaitis or hire another special teams coordinator to fill that vacancy. Wednesday’s press conference also gave us interesting insight on numerous Ohio State players, including potential position changes for Sonny Styles and Josh Fryar, Ohio State’s plans of using Will Howard in the running game and the Buckeyes’ high level of excitement for the addition of Caleb Downs.The full rundown for this week’s show:0:00: Dominic Kirks was the only actual signing news on National Signing Day1:32: Bill O’Brien hasn’t left Ohio State yet, but it certainly looks like he could soon4:02: Ohio State should be well-positioned to land a new OC (Chip Kelly?) if O’Brien leaves11:02: Giving up play calling was necessary for Ryan Day in new college football landscape13:41: Ohio State could fill out staff with James Laurinaitis or a special teams coordinator18:02: If Day chooses to hire a special teams coordinator, the special teams must be much better21:10: Laurinaitis becoming a full-time Ohio State coach is likely a matter of when, not if23:58: Sonny Styles’ move to linebacker isn’t confirmed yet, but it still seems likely27:55: Josh Fryar’s position could depend on who else steps up on right side of offensive line32:55: Seth McLaughlin can set example for rest of offensive line with experience from Alabama34:00: Caleb Downs’ talent and work ethic should make him an Ohio State star right away39:10: Will Howard’s running ability is a big reason why Ryan Day wanted him at quarterback43:18: TreVeyon Henderson impressing Day with leadership, selflessness this offseason48:56: Day didn’t plan on adding Julian Sayin, but he was too good to pass up49:52: OSU can’t let “competition” get in the way of Will Howard getting into a rhythm53:48: Tim Walton’s recruiting heater continues with Na’eem Offord’s commitment56:26: Chris Holtmann, Ohio State men’s basketball hit new low with Indiana collapse1:01:57: Women are the Ohio State basketball team you should be watching