The Ohio State Buckeyes are still searching for their next offensive coordinator, and the list of viable candidates is shrinking fast. With most of the top college names already off the board, Ryan Day appears to be eyeing the NFL ranks for a solution-but that window may be closing, too.
One of the biggest names tied to the opening was Brian Daboll, who became available after being let go by the New York Giants back in October. Given his offensive pedigree and previous success as a play-caller, Daboll made a lot of sense on paper. But since his dismissal, he’s been in demand for multiple NFL opportunities, and now, with the Buffalo Bills parting ways with Sean McDermott, Daboll’s chances of landing back in Buffalo-potentially as head coach or offensive coordinator-have all but erased any realistic shot of him heading to Columbus.
For Ohio State, that’s a significant blow. Daboll wasn’t just a flashy name; he was one of the few NFL-caliber minds who could’ve brought instant credibility, scheme flexibility, and quarterback development to a Buckeyes offense that’s looking to reload and reassert itself at the national level.
Now, with Daboll effectively out of the picture, the Buckeyes are left with limited options. One name that’s surfaced is former Ohio State quarterback J.T.
Barrett. Barrett is a program legend and has been working his way up the coaching ladder, but he’s never called plays at this level.
That’s a major leap, especially for a team with championship aspirations and a young quarterback like Julian Sayin entering his second year as a starter.
The broader issue for Day is that many of the rising offensive minds in the NFL are already in line for head coaching gigs-or at least significant promotions. The reality is, few of them are eager to make the jump to the college game, where the grind of recruiting and NIL management adds layers of complexity that just don’t exist in the pros.
That brings us to Kennan Bailey, a name that’s been in the building and could emerge as the internal favorite. Promoting Bailey would likely mean Day resumes play-calling duties himself-something he’s done before, but not without criticism. While Day is undoubtedly one of the sharpest offensive minds in the college game, there’s a growing sentiment that his dual role as head coach and primary play-caller may be stretching him too thin, especially in high-stakes moments.
This hire is more than just filling a vacancy-it’s the last major domino of the offseason for a program with national title ambitions. With the transfer portal closed and no College Football Playoff games to prepare for, the delay in naming a new OC is starting to raise eyebrows. Day has had time, and now the pressure is mounting.
Whoever gets the job will be walking into a high-expectation environment, tasked with developing Sayin, maximizing a talented skill group, and restoring the Buckeyes’ offensive identity. For Day, this decision could define not just the 2026 season-but his long-term trajectory in Columbus.