Reports: Desmond Howard Names Shocking Best Coach To Replace Ryan Day At Ohio State
“College GameDay” analyst and former Michigan Wolverine Desmond Howard has already identified a potential replacement for Ohio State head coach Ryan Day if the school opts to move on from him after the 2024 season.
This year is crucial for the Buckeyes, as they aim to end their three-game losing streak against the Wolverines and capture a National Championship of their own, following Michigan’s win in 2023.
Prior to this recent stretch, Ohio State had dominated Michigan, winning the last eight matchups.
The Buckeyes have made significant investments to bring in top talent from the transfer portal, including safety Caleb Downs, running back Quinshon Judkins, center Seth McLaughlin, and quarterback Will Howard.
If their ambitious plan for the 2024 season does not succeed, Howard believes that current Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly could take over as head coach. “If things go awry, I think they have somebody who’s behind Ryan Day,” Howard remarked. “Chip Kelly can be the next coach, too. I think Ryan Day is on the hot seat right now.”
Desmond Howard suggests Ohio State could replace Ryan Day with Chip Kelly if 'things go awry' in 2024…
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Ohio State is ranked No. 2 in the preseason AP Poll.
Their 2024 schedule includes matchups against four ranked teams: No. 25 Iowa, No. 3 Oregon, No. 8 Penn State, and No. 9 Michigan.
Chip Kelly has a strong coaching resume, having led teams at Oregon, the Philadelphia Eagles, the San Francisco 49ers, and UCLA. However, his most notable success has come during his time with the Ducks.
From 2009 to 2012, Kelly guided Oregon to four straight BCS bowl games, including a BCS National Championship, where they faced defeat against Auburn and Cam Newton.
Kelly’s NFL coaching career spanned from 2013 to 2016, during which he was the head coach of the Eagles for three years and spent one season with the 49ers. He only reached the playoffs once, with the Eagles losing to the New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card Round.
For the last six years, Kelly has been the head coach at UCLA, with his team’s best record being nine wins, accomplished in 2022. Interestingly, this past offseason, he chose to leave UCLA for a role with less structure at Ohio State.