By Rock Westfall
Last year’s end to the Ohio State season was a wake-up call for Ohio State football donors. Head coach Ryan Day has aggressively worked with donors to improve the Buckeyes’ 2024 prospects. Hires such as offensive coordinator Chip Kelly are making a profound branding impact that could translate to future championships.
A New Day Beckons From the Ashen Ruins of 2023
For the third consecutive season, head coach Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes lost to the hated Team Up North (Michigan) 30-24 at the Big House. While that is never acceptable in Columbus, Ohio, at least Buckeye fans could say that OSU lost to the eventual national champions.
But a 14-3 Cotton Bowl loss against the Missouri Tigers is beyond the pale at Ohio State. It is true that Ohio State was shorthanded at QB and that Mizzou was an underrated and a quality SEC team. But in life, perception is reality, and that loss was a five-alarm fire.
At the end of the 2023 season, Day was battered and beaten. He was tired of losing to Michigan and the price an Ohio State coach pays for doing so. He was sick of being underappreciated and hearing about the Maize and Blue.
But instead of moping and pouting, Day came out fighting. And Ohio State is coming off an impressive spring football camp that has fans talking about revenge against Michigan and a possible national championship.
With hapless offense, Ohio State football loses to Missouri in Cotton Bowl https://t.co/ULqmRWT3Sm
— Columbus Dispatch (@DispatchAlerts) December 30, 2023
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You Must Spend Money to Make Money – OSU Lays THE Foundation
At the onset of the offseason, Ohio State made a major announcement on social media. Back in Janurary, THE Foundation announced that it had raised $500,000 in a single week. And there was plenty more to come. The increased NIL is certain to help Ohio State at the transfer portal and on the recruiting trails.
Additional help is on the way in the form of former Texas A&M athletic director Ross Bjork, who will take over for Gene Smith as the Buckeyes’ athletic director on July 1. Bjork’s hiring has significant strategic merit. He aided NIL efforts for Texas A&M and the state of Texas in general.
With the Aggies, Bjork oversaw the creation and implementation of AMPLIFY, which provided student-athletes with education and resources in a variety of off-field self-improvement opportunities. Additionally, Bjork provided input and guidance to leading the Texas legislature in its development of a NIL law. Bjork’s NIL expertise will come in handy as the Buckeyes expand NIL efforts.
But it doesn’t end there. Equally important is that Ohio State hauled in nearly $280 million in revenue for fiscal year 2023, a school record.
With record revenue and donations, Day has been able to back up the truck for top assistant coaches such as Chip Kelly. Ohio State ranks at the top for assistant coaching salaries and, by most estimates, has set a college football record for those efforts.
We're excited to welcome @JT_theQB4th to our board! J.T. is the winningest quarterback in Ohio State history. Barrett's strong leadership and understanding of OSU student-athletes makes him a great fit for THE Foundation. Welcome to the team J.T. pic.twitter.com/9UhKuo8afP
— THE Foundation (@TheFoundation1_) March 17, 2022
Day Break – The Dark Clouds are Gone
Ryan Day made some tough decisions after the loss to Michigan, including parting ways with quarterback Kyle McCord. Will Howard, who helped lead Kansas State to the 2022 Big 12 championship, transferred in and is the front-runner to quarterback the Scarlet and Gray this fall.
While Ryan Day revealed there is still competition at the position, In the spring game, Howard showed why he was the favorite. Howard got the start with the first-team offense and went on to complete 9 of 13 passes for 77 yards.
But Day’s biggest problem is long gone. Jim Harbaugh will not be on the Michigan sidelines anymore to torment Day. Harbaugh took his talents and somewhat tainted national championship resume to the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers, leaving behind a Michigan program that is a mere shell of its former championship self.
It is a new Day for Ryan and Ohio State football.
Indeed, the Ohio State Buckeyes are paying to win B1G!
Will Howard’s first Carmen as a Buckeye!
Still getting the hang of it 🤣 pic.twitter.com/sT6unbXXQl
— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) April 13, 2024
