Category: Ohio State

In a surprising turn of events, three standout Ohio State football players—Emeka Egbuka, Jeremiah Smith, and Jordan Hancock—have strongly accused head coach Ryan Day of being the primary cause of their recent struggles on the field. The players, all of whom were expected to be major contributors to the team’s success this season, have openly criticized Day for what they describe as “poor decision-making” and “inconsistent leadership” throughout the campaign.

Egbuka, a highly touted wide receiver, expressed frustration with Day’s playcalling, stating that he felt the offensive strategy did not make the most of his abilities or the team’s overall strengths. “I’m being put in positions where I’m not allowed to showcase what I can do,” Egbuka remarked in a statement, citing a lack of adjustments during crucial moments in games.

Smith, a top-tier wide receiver recruit, echoed similar sentiments, claiming that Day’s coaching style has left the players feeling disorganized and unsure of their roles. “We’re not being coached in a way that allows us to thrive,” Smith said. “We need more clarity and a better game plan to succeed.”

Hancock, a cornerback, added his voice to the criticism, highlighting defensive strategies that he believes are ineffective and have led to missed opportunities on the field. “Our defense isn’t being utilized to its full potential under Coach Day,” Hancock explained, suggesting that better coordination and more aggressive tactics could have turned the season around.

While the accusations have sent shockwaves through the Ohio State community, it remains to be seen how Coach Day and the team will respond. Fans and analysts are closely watching this developing story, as tensions rise within the program.

Breaking News: Ryan Day Signs Five-Year Contract with Ohio State Buckeyes, Leaving Auburn Tigers

In a shocking turn of events, Ryan Day, the highly regarded head coach of the Auburn Tigers, has signed a five-year contract extension with the Ohio State Buckeyes. The deal, which was officially confirmed today by both Auburn and Ohio State athletic departments, sees Day returning to his roots at Ohio State, where he previously served as an offensive coordinator. This move marks a significant shift in the college football landscape, with Day’s decision to leave Auburn after leading the Tigers through a transformative period.

Ryan Day, 45, has been the head coach at Auburn since 2020. His tenure, though relatively brief, was marked by steady growth and impressive accomplishments. Under Day’s leadership, the Tigers consistently ranked among the top 25 programs, with a few near-misses for playoff contention. He cultivated a strong offense, developed young talent, and turned Auburn into a contender in the SEC, where competition is fierce.

However, despite his successes, it seems Day never fully adjusted to the demanding nature of the SEC. Sources close to the coach suggest that while Day appreciated the opportunity to coach at Auburn, the high-pressure environment of the Southeastern Conference proved to be a challenge he was not prepared to face long term. Ohio State, on the other hand, represents a different kind of challenge—one in which Day has deep personal ties. The Buckeyes are a program where Day already has established connections and a sense of familiarity, having spent several years in Columbus as an offensive coordinator before being hired by Auburn.

The timing of Day’s decision comes as a surprise to many, considering the recent success of the Auburn program under his watch. However, insiders have speculated that Day’s departure could be the result of differences in vision with Auburn’s athletic department or perhaps a personal desire to return to a more familiar program. The contract with Ohio State reportedly includes lucrative incentives and a commitment to a long-term vision for the Buckeyes’ future.

Ohio State has been in the market for a

It’s been said that the Ohio State Buckeyes have some of the most passionate fans in the country. Perhaps no one knows that better than head football coach Ryan Day and his family. Following Ohio State’s 13-10 loss to archrival Michigan on Nov. 30, Day and his family saw a side of Buckeye Nation they’d presumably like to forget.

Social media and message boards blew up with calls for the school to fire Day, who was 66-10 at the time in six seasons at OSU. Things got so bad, in fact, that Day had to hire 24/7 armed security at his home to keep his family safe after their address was released on social media.

Day’s wife Nina had her phone number released online and she began receiving threatening calls and text messages. She even considered moving herself and her children out of the state after her 16-year-old son R.J. received death threats on social media, according to the Columbus Dispatch.

“It was very difficult,” she said. “Very difficult. There were a lot of tears. We shielded [our kids] from a lot of it because I didn’t want to scare them. I didn’t want them to stay up at night thinking anything bad was going to happen. “…

My kids have only heard the negative things about Ryan for too long. There’s only so many times you can hear, ‘Ryan’s a loser.

Ryan can’t win big games. Ryan was born on third base.’ My kids need to hear positivity around their father, around the program. It’s only healthy. I want my kids to enjoy this moment because they deserve it.”

The death threats weren’t just exclusive to Day’s children. Nina also disclosed that some fans encouraged Day himself to follow in the footsteps of his father, who committed suicide when he was only 8 years old. While she reiterated the threats and hateful messages came from a small portion of OSU fans, and that their actions are representative of the team’s entire fan base. “It’s very disappointing to me what some people are capable of, but you look at the news and you look at our society as a whole,” Nina continued. “People are very mean. They’re very negative. They’re nasty. I’m not saying everybody is, but there’s definitely a percentage of people that are just ruthless in their hate.”

Ohio State University, which has led the nation in athletic department spending for the past six years, reported a total of $293 million in expenditures for the 2023-24 season, according to its latest NCAA financial disclosures.

That was an increase of roughly $17 million the school said it spent on athletics in 2022-23.

Ohio State University, which has led the nation in athletic department spending for the past six years, reported a total of $293 million in expenditures for the 2023-24 season, according to its latest NCAA financial disclosures.

That was an increase of roughly $17 million the school said it spent on athletics in 2022-23.

Of its FY24 total, more than $26 million was allocated to student aid—an amount that athletic director Ross Bjork cited as evidence of the university’s “unwavering commitment” to supporting its “student-athletes” during this time of rapid change in college sports. The school sponsored 36 sports, more than double the NCAA’s minimum requirements for Division I.

However, the student aid figure was overshadowed by the $28.5 million Ohio State spent on football coaching compensation, despite a significant decrease in football ticket revenue compared to the previous season. Ohio State reported $64.3 million in football ticket sales in fiscal 2022-23, and $47.9 million in fiscal 2023-24—a drop of about 25%.

The shortfall is likely tied to changes in the football schedule and opponents. In 2022, the Buckeyes hosted eight home games, including a season opener against a ranked Notre Dame team and a high-stakes home finale against Big Ten rival Michigan. By contrast, the 2023 season featured a home slate of only six home, with the Michigan contest taking place in Ann Arbor.

OSU’s revenue decline was not confined to ticket sales. Year-over-year sponsorship and licensing revenue also dropped over that span, from $42.8 million to $34.1 million, possibly for the same reason.

Many of the school’s biggest changes in spending were related to coaches, as total salaries jumped from $45.2 million in 2022-23 to $54.3 million in 2023-24, driven largely by increases in compensation to head football coach Ryan Day and his staff. Meanwhile, severance payments totaled $9.2 million last fiscal year, almost all of which related to the mid-season firing of former head men’s basketball coach Chris Holtmann.

Ohio State, winner of this year’s College Football Playoff national championship, has topped FBS athletic department spending since fiscal year 2019, when it surpassed Texas, according to Sportico’s college sports finances database . From FY19 to FY24, OSU’s spending increased by 32%. Texas, which spent $232 million in FY23, has yet to release its most recent NCAA financial report. Texas A&M recently reported spending $244 million in the fiscal year 2024.

Unless the Longhorns made an unexpected leap in spending last fiscal year, it seems that the current one will be where Ohio State—and potentially a few other programs—becomes the first school to officially cross the $300 million threshold.

Junior Ohio State transfer defensive tackle Hero Kanu reportedly took a surprise official visit to Texas on Sunday.

Multiple reports have confirmed that former Ohio State Buckeyes junior transfer defensive tackle Hero Kanu visited Texas football on Jan. 26. Horns247’s Hank South was the first to report the news that Kanu took a visit to Texas on Sunday.

This was reportedly an official visit that Kanu took to Texas late this weekend. He spent time with Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and defensive line coach Kenny Baker during the brief Sunday official visit to the Forty Acres.

Ohio State transfer DT Hero Kanu during his official visit to Texas today. pic.twitter.com/9ni78DOzCR

— Hook’em Headlines (@HookemHeadlines) January 27, 2025

Kanu spent three seasons at Ohio State, registering 14 career combined tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, five quarterback pressures, and 10 defensive stops. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

He played a career-high 123 defensive snaps for the Buckeyes this past season (per PFF). Kanu played a handful of defensive snaps in Ohio State’s final three College Football Playoff games en route to the Buckeyes winning the national title over Notre Dame on Jan. 20.

Texas offered Kanu as a four-star prospect from Rancho Santa Margarita (CA) Santa Margarita Catholic in the 2022 recruiting class. He is originally from Germany and started playing football in 2021.

Kanu is set to visit Gainesville tomorrow to see the Florida Gators. Other visits are still a possibility for Kanu since he entered the portal a couple of days ago.

Baker and the Longhorns have turned to the transfer portal to add more proven depth and experience at defensive tackle for the 2025 season in the SEC. Texas has signed former North Carolina Tar Heels junior defensive tackle transfer Travis Shaw and Purdue Boilermakers senior grad transfer Cole Brevard from the winter portal this offseason.

Reese’s Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy holds no ill will towards the Ohio State players who withdrew from the annual event after winning the CFP National Championship

There appears to be no bad blood between Jim Nagy and the Ohio State players who pulled themselves out of the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

On Monday, the Buckeyes earned a hard-fought 34-23 win over Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff title game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Only a handful of days later, several of the biggest stars from head coach Ryan Day’s squad were slated to take the field in Mobile, Alabama for the Reese’s Senior Bowl – though this will no longer be the case.

According to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, multiple players politely declined to compete in the annual event, which gives highly-touted prospects who’ve used up their college eligibility an opportunity to showcase their skills ahead of the NFL Draft.

“Due to the extended season and playoffs for both Ohio State and Notre Dame, several players will not be playing in the Senior Bowl next week (understandably),” Brugler wrote on X. “Among them: Will Howard, Xavier Watts, Donovan Jackson, Jack Sawyer, Ty Hamilton.”

The news hardly came as a surprise to Nagy, who actively serves as executive director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl. In response to Brugler’s tweet, he said: “We anticipated likelihood that players who participated in CFP could/would be too banged up physically to be in Mobile on short six-day window. Had good conversations with all players that Dane listed and wish them well rest of pre-draft process.”

Nagy noted, however, that not all participants in the CFP Championship Game withdrew their names from the contest on Feb. 1. “Conversely, we would like to applaud three @NDFootball prospects – QB Riley Leonard, EDGE R.J. Oben, & LB Jack Kiser – who will be competing at @seniorbowl,” he added.

LIMITED-TIME $5/3 months SAVE SPORTS Ohio State Gets Bad News on Day of National Championship Celebration By Jonathan D Adams Athlon Sports Updated January 26, 2025 8:26 PM The Ohio State Buckeyes will look different when the 2025 college football season begins.

Head coach Ryan Day was already expecting to have to fight to retain key players from entering the transfer portal.

Additionally, the Buckeyes have several stars heading to the 2025 NFL draft. Now, Day will also need to retool his coaching staff.

A Big Ten rival poached a key assistant from the Ohio State staff despite the Buckeyes attempting to keep the coach with a lucrative contract offer.

Former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is joining Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin’s staff in the same role. The news comes as Ohio State was celebrating the team’s national championship in Columbus.

Sources: Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is finalizing a three-year deal to become the new defensive coordinator at Penn State,” ESPN’s Pete Thamel detailed in a Sunday message on X. “It averages $3.1 million over three years.”

On3.com’s Andy Staples previously reported that Knowles was on track to become the highest paid defensive coordinator in college football history.

The insider added that the Buckeyes made an offer to Knowles that would make him the highest paid defensive coordinator in the nation.

Ohio State has made defensive coordinator Jim Knowles an offer that would make him the highest paid DC in the country, a source told On3 Saturday,” Staples detailed on Saturday. “But Knowles is weighing other options.

“… It seems likely that no matter what Knowles does, he’ll wind up with the richest deal ever seen for a college DC.”

Ohio State will now be in search of a new defensive coordinator for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, fans gathered at Ohio Stadium to celebrate the team’s national championship run.

“What I love about this team is it really embodies what it’s like to be from Ohio,” Buckeyes pass rusher Jack Sawyer said at Sunday’s celebration, per ESPN.

“You get punched in the mouth, you always get back up and keep fighting. That’s what everybody in Ohio does and will continue to do.”

 

Jim Knowles will be college football’s highest-paid coordinator following a three-year deal worth $3.1 million per year.

Less than three weeks after falling to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinals, Penn State is pushing its chips in to chase a national championship next season.

The Nittany Lions have hired Jim Knowles as defensive coordinator on a three-year, $3.1 million per year deal89 which will make him the NCAA’s highest-paid coordinator, according to NBC Sports college football insider Nicole Auerbach. The average annual value would be in the top 60 of NCAA head coach salaries last season, based on USA Today’s dataase.

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Knowles, a Philadelphia native, was the Ohio State defensive coordinator from 2022 to 2025. He reportedly chose the Nittany Lions over offers from Oklahoma and a chance to return to the 2025 national champion Buckeyes, which had one of the best defenses in the country last season.

Penn State, which entered the first expanded playoff format as the No. 6 seed, had one of the best defenses in the nation last season under Tom Allen—who left to be the DC at Clemson—ranking top 10 in the nation in opponent points.

Knowles will not have the services of standout defensive end Abdul Carter, who is projected to be the first defensive player off the board in the 2025 NFL draft, but the defense is still expected to be one of the best in the nation, led by another defensive end, incoming senior Dani Dennis-Sutton.

The offense is also filled with key players returning for their senior year, including quarterback Drew Allar and running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Penn State was able to retain offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, who was reportedly under consideration to be the head coach at West Virginia.

Penn State has the fifth-best odds (+850) to become next season’s national champions behind Ohio State, Texas, Oregon, and Georgia, according to FanDuel.

These 20 teams have the majority of national championship wins in the modern era and in the sport’s history. Yet somehow, only twice since 1930 have these rivals repeated as undisputed national champs, with one of them being this run for Michigan-Ohio State. Overall, since 1900, it’s happened only four times.

Most recently was actually a three-peat between Alabama and Auburn just over a decade ago. Nick Saban and the 2009 Crimson Tide were the cream of the crop in college football. Thanks to a rushing attack that boasted both Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram III, the Crimson Tide won all 14 games, including toppling an unranked Auburn team in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Then, Alabama beat the No. 1 Florida Gators with quarterback Tim Tebow in the SEC Championship, and then beat Colt McCoy and No. 2 Texas in the national title.

A year later, Gene Chizik entered his second season as head coach at Auburn. The Tigers also earned a commitment from JUCO transfer quarterback Cam Newton, the eventual Heisman Trophy winner. The Tigers led the nation in scoring offense, total offense, rushing offense and passing efficiency thanks to him. Auburn beat five top-25 teams prior to the National Championship, and had maybe the greatest comeback in the history of the Iron Bowl, beating Alabama 28-27 after trailing 24-0 in the second quarter.

Ole Miss, 20-13. Later in the year, they bounced back and destroyed No. 5 USC in South Bend, 49-19, and then beat the undefeated Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl.

Multiple teams had a chance to win the national championship because of this, including No. 4 Michigan, but it lost 27-20 to Washington in the Rose Bowl. It was down to Notre Dame and Alabama, which had just crushed Ohio State, 35-6, in the Sugar Bowl. In the end, the Irish ranked No. 1 in every poll and were named national champions.

USC responded in 1978, though, as they conquered No. 1 Alabama in Week 3, and No. 19 Washington, No. 14 UCLA (at the Coliseum), No. 8 Notre Dame and No. 5 Michigan (in the Rose Bowl) all in California. The game against Notre Dame was one of the greatest in the history of the rivalry — USC took a 24-6 lead into the fourth quarter, but Joe Montana threw two touchdowns and led a field goal drive in the fourth quarter to take a 25-24 lead, but failed twice on two-point conversions. It opened the door for Notre Dame kicker Frank Jordan to nail a 37-yard field goal with just two seconds left to win the game, 27-25.

In one of the most controversial plays in the history of the Rose Bowl, USC running back Charles White scored the “Phantom Touchdown” against Michigan. One official ran in and ruled a fumble on the one-yard line and signaled a possession change, while the other ruled a touchdown. Here’s the infamous play:

Washington and Georgia by a combined 104-7 in the final two weeks of the regular season and conquering Tulane in the Rose Bowl, 21-12, to confirm their national championship.

USC would win again in 1932, but it began a 30-year drought without reaching college football’s peak again. Notre Dame’s 1930 championship was also its last for more than a decade, but the Irish won a title four times in the 1940s to catapult back into the spotlight.

Going back into these timeframes, it was much more difficult to win a national championship. There were no conference championship games and no National Championship Games, let alone a CFP. It is now easier than ever for the best team in country to win a championship, and Michigan and Ohio State are recruiting and coaching at a level that could cause an era of dominance for two of the best programs in all of college football.