Ryan Day makes head-scratching staff move after Chip Kelly's departure and Brian Hartline's promotion
The Ohio State Buckeyes made one expected move at offensive coordinator last week when Ryan Day promoted Brian Hartline. However, with Chip Kelly headed off to the Las Vegas Raiders and Hartline lacking play-calling experience, there was a thought the Buckeyes would have Day help Hartline more. Instead, Day made a surprising announcement by promoting […]
The Ohio State Buckeyes made one expected move at offensive coordinator last week when Ryan Day promoted Brian Hartline. However, with Chip Kelly headed off to the Las Vegas Raiders and Hartline lacking play-calling experience, there was a thought the Buckeyes would have Day help Hartline more.
Instead, Day made a surprising announcement by promoting tight ends coach Keenan Bailey to co-offensive coordinator. ESPN's Pete Thamel broke the news Monday morning as the Buckeye nation awaits news of who will be the team's defensive coordinator.
Bailey's first season as the tight ends coach was in 2023, but he's been with the program since 2016. His various roles include being assistant to Day, a quality control coach, and an assistant in the offensive line, quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs rooms.
The new offensive line coach and run-game coordinator, Tyler Bowen, will also be a factor in the offensive staff, but the hierarchy of responsibilities between Hartline and Bailey has not yet been specified.
It's a bit of a head-scratcher for the Buckeyes to opt against bringing in an outside voice after hiring Bill O'Brien and Kelly last year. While internal development is important and generally good, there must be concern over so many first-timers from within the house in key roles.
This is especially the case when the Buckeyes are turning over so many starting jobs on the offensive side of the ball. There will be new faces at quarterback, running back, tight end, one receiver spot, and three offensive line holes.
We'll see how it plays out as Day explains how this new-crowded staff operates.
