Ohio State AD Gene Smith offers further backing for Ryan Day, 'he's our coach for the future'

Ohio State coach Ryan Day has been a topic of discussion since the Buckeyes’ second-consecutive loss to Michigan. Athletic director Gene Smith again backed Day, however, as the program’s “coach for the future.” Day has a record of 45-6 at the helm of Ohio State. He has won two Big Ten championships and made three trips to the College Football Playoff.

“He’s really grown,” Smith said of Day. He’s really, really good,” Smith told the Columbus Dispatch. “You said it. 45-6. At the end of the day, sure, we have to win that game (against Michigan). We’ve got to win the Big Ten championship and get to the national championship game and win that at some point, which is something that he aspires to do. But he’s done a great job. You look at the culture of the team. They’re good young men. That’s the culture you want. He’s embraced the things that were in place after Urban (Meyer) left, but then he’s enhanced so many other things. I feel great about him, and he’s our coach for the future.”

Regarding Day's record against Michigan, the Ohio State coach was one win away from reaching the national championship game, which would have been his second appearance as a head coach.

“He’s not in that situation at all,” Smith said of the hot seat. “But that’s normal. That’s what we all deal with. The platforms of people being able to express their opinions have changed. You’re going to hear from everyone, no matter whether they’re rational or prudent. It’s the truth. I always keep it in perspective. His record is phenomenal.”

Day's focus remains on training camp, where the Buckeyes arrive in less than a month to prepare for the 2023 season. In a Q&A previewing the upcoming season, Patrick Murphy of Bucknuts.com tabbed Kyle McCord as the favorite to win the job.

"If I were betting on the starter, my money would go on McCord, but that doesn't mean I'd rule out Brown. From the practices we saw this spring, neither player stood out as the guy at that point, as both had positive moments and ones they want back. Brown gives the Buckeyes a bit more athleticism, which may actually be needed if this offensive line isn't sorted out by the time the season starts. Both players are certainly talented and I trust Ryan Day and his staff to make the right decision. But no, it would not totally surprise me if Brown was able to win the job in fall camp."