Ryan Day’s hope to repeat as national champions came to an end with Ohio State’s 24-14 loss to Miami. Following the Buckeyes’ Cotton Bowl loss, Day and his staff are now focused on rebuilding the coaching staff and roster in preparation for a strong 2026 season.
NFL Veteran Offers Straightforward Take on Mike McDaniel Linking Up With Ryan Day
Mike McDaniel was recently fired as the head coach of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins and is interviewing for various NFL coaching positions. While some speculation has linked McDaniel to Ohio State’s open offensive coordinator position, former NFL linebacker Bobby Carpenter does not see it as a realistic match.
“I don’t think that that’s a real thing,” Carpenter said. “No. He’s not coming here. Like, I’m not saying he’s not a good coach. I don’t know if that’s really a fit for what Ohio State’s trying to do. And I’m not sure that’s something that he would really want to do to go be an offensive coordinator in college at this point.”
Following his departure from the Dolphins, McDaniel has become a candidate for several NFL head coaching and offensive coordinator roles. He is reportedly scheduled to meet with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday for a second-round interview, while also set to interview with the Las Vegas Raiders for their head coaching vacancy and the Los Angeles Chargers for their offensive coordinator opening.
McDaniel has been linked with Ohio State, as the Buckeyes had to part ways with their offensive coordinator and wide receiver coach Brian Hartline. He was named the seventh head coach of the Bulls, as he signed a six-year deal and is now cashing in as USF’s highest-paid head coach.
Hartline’s exit came unexpectedly during the week of the Big Ten Championship and the start of the early signing period. The move even led some Ohio State recruits and current players to enter the transfer portal.
The Buckeyes have since hired Cortez Hankton as their new wide receivers coach, but Hartline’s reputation as the nation’s top recruiter leaves Hankton with a major challenge in trying to match that production.
After Ohio State’s loss against Miami, Hartline’s time with the Buckeyes has officially ended. Now, a big item for Day is finding an offensive coordinator to replace Hartline.
Hartline’s impact was evident in the Cotton Bowl, as Day’s play-calling drew heavy criticism and played a role in the PFSN College Football Offense Metric‘s No. 3 team’s inability to win.
One potential candidate to replace Hartline is former NFL head coach Bill O’Brien, who was fired midway through the season. After waiting out the NFL hiring cycle in hopes of landing another pro job, O’Brien could be a strong fit for Ohio State’s offense if he chooses to make the move.
