Things have gone sideways for Ohio State in a hurry, and the fallout is already reaching the coaching staff.
After back-to-back losses to USC and Oregon, the Buckeyes’ season has effectively slipped away. Ohio State sits 20th in the College Football Playoff rankings, a spot that likely leaves the program too far back to climb into the CFP picture.
Former players are already speaking up about it, too. Dan "Boom" Herron has called for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to be fired.
If Ryan Day does make that move, there are a few names that would make sense as replacements.
Chip Kelly sits near the top of the list, and honestly, this is the move Day probably should have made in the first place. Once Kelly was fired by the Raiders, he should have been Day’s first call. Day dodged a question about whether he tried to hire Kelly in the offseason, and now Kelly will be on the opposite sideline this weekend.
Kelly was Ohio State’s offensive coordinator when the Buckeyes won the title in 2024, and he has a very close relationship with Day. He would be moving up from Northwestern, and it does not sound like he is eager to be a college head coach again.
The NFL did not work out for him, either. Kelly also helped ignite Ohio State’s offense during the College Football Playoff, which is why a reunion makes so much sense.
The only thing that might complicate it is the chance to coach Day’s son next season.
If Kelly is not interested in returning to Columbus, the next call should go to J.T. Barrett.
Day coached Barrett in his final season at Ohio State, and Barrett is now rising quickly in NFL coaching circles. He is currently the quarterbacks coach for the Bears.
Barrett has worked under Ben Johnson in Detroit and now Chicago, and Johnson is one of the brightest young offensive minds in the league. Barrett was also known for his intelligence during his Buckeyes playing days, so the fit is easy to picture.
It would be a jump in responsibility, sure, but if Ohio State waits too long, Barrett could become too established in the NFL to come back. He would also be a hugely popular hire with the fan base and alumni.
Matt Rhule is the third name to watch. He is already a Big Ten head coach, but things have not gone well at Nebraska.
Since taking over the Cornhuskers, Rhule is 24-23. Across his college and NFL head coaching career, he owns an 82-93 record.
That résumé does not scream elite head coach, but it does not erase the possibility that he could be a strong offensive coordinator. If Nebraska moves on from him after the season, Day should at least check on whether Rhule would be willing to step back into an OC role. It could work because Rhule would be able to focus strictly on football and leave the extra stuff behind.
In Other News...
Ohio States Quarterback Future Suddenly Has Two Names To Watch
Julian Sayins season-ending injury changed the conversation in Columbus almost overnight, and the Buckeyes have spent the last two games trying to stabilize the offense with Luke Fahey under center. Any time a program like Ohio State has to rework its quarterback room on the fly, the attention quickly shifts from the present to what comes next, especially when the depth chart suddenly feels thinner than expected.
Drake Lindsey of Minnesota and Marcus Stokes of Memphis have emerged as two names worth monitoring if Ohio State decides to look outside the program for help. Both bring production that would make them intriguing options in a future quarterback competition, but for now their transfer status remains speculative, leaving the Buckeyes with more questions than answers as they sort out the position beyond this season. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Gets A Tricky Northwestern Test Few Fans Saw Coming
Northwesterns visit to Columbus arrives with a different look than the one most Ohio State fans probably expected when the schedule was set. The Wildcats will be without starting quarterback Aidan Chiles because of injury, which means Nicco Marchiol is expected to get the start, and the matchup also brings an old familiar face back into the picture in Chip Kelly, now Northwesterns offensive coordinator after his run as Ohio States offensive coordinator.
There is also a broader backdrop to this trip that makes it feel a little less ordinary than a typical Big Ten home game. Northwestern is still settling into its new stadium, the replacement for Ryan Field, built with major support from the Ryan family, and the program is trying to make a fresh impression in a new era. For Ohio State, the challenge is not just the opponent on the field but the kind of tricky conference test that can sneak up when the focus is elsewhere. [Read more 🡒]
Chip Kellys Columbus Return Brings Ohio State Fans One Awkward Thought
Chip Kellys return to Columbus this weekend comes with the kind of subplot Ohio State fans cant help but notice. The former Buckeyes play caller is back on the opposite sideline, and his presence immediately brings up the stretch when he worked alongside Ryan Day and took over play-calling duties in 2024. With the Ohio State offense having struggled this season, Kellys name has a way of lingering in the conversation even before the game kicks off.
The awkward part is obvious enough: some fans are already wondering whether a future reunion could ever make sense if current offensive coordinator Arthur Smiths tenure does not go as hoped. Kellys return as an opposing coach is supposed to be about this weekends matchup, but it also serves as a reminder of how quickly the coaching carousel can turn in Columbus. For now, it is just another familiar face walking back into a stadium that knows him well. [Read more 🡒]