Ohio State suffered a tough-to-swallow defeat to an unranked Michigan Wolverines program on Saturday. Head coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes entered 2024 all-in on winning a National Championship. The embarrassing setback could severely hinder Day's chances of returning as the coach in 2025.
Ohio State made sizable financial investments to keep talents like Emeka Egbuka, Donovan Jackson, and Jack Sawyer, among others, at the program. Saturday's loss to Michigan represented Ohio State's fourth consecutive loss in the rivalry showdown. Day is now 1-4 versus Michigan and hasn't beaten them since his debut season (2019). Losing to this Jim Harbaugh-less version of the Wolverines is a fireable offense.
Anything short of a National Championship could spell the end of Day's tenure. We've identified three potential successors if Day is dismissed after the fate-deciding postseason.
Marcus Freeman
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman should top Ohio State's wishlist. Freeman, who played for the Buckeyes from 2004-2008 and began his coaching career as a grad assistant at his alma mater in 2010, could feel tempted to return to his old stomping grounds. Taking the Ohio State job would come with advantages in recruiting and NIL resources, two subplots of college football he's handled flawlessly throughout his time with the Fighting Irish.
Freeman blends old-school leadership and tradition while flawlessly adapting to the ever-evolving landscape of college football. Things have arguably gotten stale at Ohio State under Day's direction. Freeman would bring much-needed youthful energy to a program inching dangerously close to falling short of 2024 expectations.
Mike Vrabel
Mike Vrabel is another candidate with strong local ties. He hails from Akron and attended Ohio State as a linebacker from 1993 to 1996, winning Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year twice. After capturing three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots, Vrabel later began his coaching career at his alma mater as a linebackers (2011) and defensive line (2012-13) coach.
Vrabel prefers coaching in the NFL and he'll be an in-demand candidate throughout the upcoming professional hiring cycle. Perhaps a bag of money and the allure of coaching his former program that's near and dear to his heart (and his hometown city) could swing Vrabel toward the college game. Ohio State should at least make a valiant effort.
Kenny Dillingham
Poaching Kenny Dillingham from Arizona State wouldn't be easy, but Ohio State certainly possesses the financial resources and prestige to tempt him. Dillingham, a Sun Devils alum, has instantly turned the program from a laughing stock into a legitimate Big 12 contender. A victory over Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship Game would earn Arizona State an automatic berth in the College Football Playoff. The Sun Devils just captured its first 10-win season since 2014, quickly putting the forgettable Herm Edwards era behind them.
Taking the reins at Ohio State would be a sizable step up in competition and expectation, but the 34-year-old Dillingham already has offensive coordinator experience at programs such as Oregon, Florida State, and Auburn. He's also made a flawless transition to being a head coach. Dillingham should be on Ohio State's shortlist.
