As we look towards the upcoming college football season, one thing is certain – 2026 will be a different season for Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes. With a mix of old and new coaches in his camp, Day is embarking on a bigger experiment this year, and the stakes have never been higher.
After a successful 2025 campaign where the Buckeyes finished with a 12-2 record and a Rose Bowl victory, expectations are sky high for this Ohio State team. However, with a significantly different coaching staff, there are many questions surrounding the team and how they will perform in the upcoming season.
Day has been the head coach of the Buckeyes since 2019, and in his first three seasons, he has compiled a remarkable record of 38-4. However, this year will be his biggest challenge yet, as he navigates through a new mix of coaches and strives to maintain the success of the program.
One of the most significant changes for Day’s staff this year is the departure of offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Kevin Wilson. Wilson, who had been with the Buckeyes since 2017, played a crucial role in the team’s offensive success, and his absence will surely be felt. However, Day wasted no time in finding a replacement, and he brought in Mike Yurcich from the University of Texas as the new offensive coordinator.
Yurcich brings with him a wealth of experience, having served as the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State and Texas. His innovative and high-powered offensive schemes have produced some of the most potent offenses in college football, and there is no doubt that he will be a valuable addition to the Buckeyes coaching staff.
In addition to Yurcich, Day has also made some other key changes to his coaching staff. He brought in Parker Fleming as the new special teams coordinator and hired Tim Hinton to be the tight ends coach. These additions, along with the return of veterans such as Larry Johnson and Tony Alford, give Day a well-rounded and experienced staff that he can rely on.
While these changes may create some uncertainty, there is one thing that is certain – Ohio State is going all-in on the financial front to make their time in Columbus more worthwhile. The university recently announced that they have extended Day’s contract through the 2028 season and have increased his total compensation to a whopping $15.3 million per year, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football.
This move by Ohio State is not surprising, as the university is known for its commitment to excellence and its willingness to invest in its football program. This significant investment in Day’s contract not only shows the university’s confidence in his abilities as a coach but also ensures that he will remain at the helm of the Buckeyes for years to come.
This move also serves as a strategic decision for Ohio State to avoid another Chip Kelly-like heartbreak. In 2011, Kelly, who was the head coach at Oregon at the time, was heavily pursued by Ohio State for the head coaching position. However, Kelly ultimately decided to stay at Oregon and later left for the NFL, leaving the Buckeyes without a head coach. By extending Day’s contract and increasing his compensation, the university has shown that they are willing to do whatever it takes to keep their coach and avoid any potential heartbreak in the future.
In conclusion, 2026 will indeed be a different season for Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes. With a new mix of coaches and heightened expectations, Day will face his biggest challenge yet as the head coach of the Buckeyes. However, with a talented and experienced coaching staff, and the full support of the university, there is no doubt that Day and the Buckeyes will continue their tradition of excellence and strive for another successful season.
