Getty Image / Justin Casterline
Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day’s seat has never been hotter. Ohio State was beaten by rival Michigan for the fourth-straight time, losing as huge favorites, 13-10.
Many Ohio State fans want him fired, as four straight losses to Michigan simply isn’t getting it done. On Thursday, he got a vote of confidence from his predecessor and mentor, Urban Meyer, who claimed he does not want the job again.
It’s not that Ryan Day hasn’t been winning. He’s 66-10 at Ohio State with three college football playoff appearances and another on the way in just six seasons. But, this will now be their fourth consecutive year without a Big Ten Title, he’s 1-3 in playoff games, and 1-4 against Michigan.
While his other three losses to Michigan were against very good Wolverine teams, Michigan struggled this year. They were 6-5 heading to Ohio Stadium on Saturday, with one of the nation’s worst offenses. Plus, likely NFL draft first-round picks in cornerback Will Johnson and tight end Colson Loveland were out with injury. Ohio State found a way to lose anyways in what could only be described as a choke. To make matters worse, when a brawl broke out between the two teams postgame, Ryan Day simply looked shellshocked.
Many Buckeye fans want a change, and the name most frequently thrown out is a return of former head coach Urban Meyer. Meyer, an Ohio native, spent seven seasons as the head coach in Columbus from 2012-2018. He went 83-9 with three big ten championships and a national title in 2014. Most importantly, Urban Meyer absolutely owned Michigan, never losing in the rivalry.
But, he quelled speculation that he would take Ryan Day’s job if it came open.
Statement from @CoachUrbanMeyer addressing Ohio State coaching rumors: pic.twitter.com/Lt5f2BbdZ5
— The Triple Option (@3xOptionShow) December 5, 2024
That being said, Urban Meyer only just turned 60. He’s been linked with plenty of college jobs since being fired during a disastrous season with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020. Do we really believe him when he says he’d never return? I’m not so sure.