Getty Image
Ohio State head football coach Ryan Day lost his fourth straight game to rival Michigan over the weekend as he fell to 1-4 all-time against the Wolverines. This was quite possibly his most embarrassing defeat in the series given the leadup to the Big Game.
The Buckeyes came into the matchup at 10-1 while boasting one of college football’s most expensive rosters. Michigan, meanwhile, limped in at 6-5 having lost four of their previous six contests.
None of that mattered in Columbus on Saturday! The Wolverines stunned Ohio State, 13-10, to keep the Buckeyes out of the Big Ten Championship game. Questions about Day’s job security quickly surfaced.
This loss was unlike the previous three in Day’s tenure. Michigan made the College Football Playoff in each of those campaigns. They posted a combined 40-3 overall record while bringing home a national title.
This year’s Wolverine squad didn’t stack up. There was no excuse for the Buckeyes, who boast a lineup rumored to cost more than $20 million, especially when playing at home. With fans unable to blame Michigan’s success this college football season, the blame was quickly placed on Ryan Day. Maybe he’s been the problem all along!
While supporters of the program questioned his ability to lead the Buckeyes, the university’s athletic director gave Day his vote of confidence. Ross Bjork silenced any talk of a change at the helm. The head coach wasn’t going anywhere!
“Our full focus right now is on the College Football Playoff and making a strong run. We have a ton to play for. We have a great team made up of talented players and great young men. Coach Day does a great job leading our program. He’s our coach.”
-Ross Bjork
Hours after voicing that support, however, Urban Meyer’s rumored interest in the job surfaced. Is there a chance he’d return to Columbus?
Urban Meyer is “open” to returning to Ohio State.
This report comes from Jay Crawford via the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show.
“Urban never wanted to leave Ohio State… His hand was forced because administration at the time did not like how powerful he’d become at the university. So, there was a real power struggle.
“Note that the two main players that forced Urban out – and that’s what it was – are gone.”
-Jay Crawford
He continued on to say that Meyer isn’t only open to a return, but he’s possibly interested in coming back to the sidelines. That intel comes from people close to the situation, says Crawford.
Meyer stepped down for health reasons after the 2018 season. He’d later coach the Jacksonville Jaguars before taking on a role as an analyst at FOX.
Meyer went 7-0 against Michigan during his time with the Buckeyes, which is maybe the driving factor in calls for his replacement of Ryan Day. He also won a national title.
With Ohio State set to take part in the College Football Playoff this month, it doesn’t seem likely a change would be made at this point. Still, it’s not outlandish to believe the university could gauge Meyer’s interest at season’s end if he truly is considering a return.