The Big Ten sees some significant coaching shakeups in 2024.
While Jim Harbaugh left Michigan for the NFL, the conference welcomes Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington from the Pac-12. That could create more competition atop the standings.
Even with Lincoln Riley and Dan Lanning in the fold, Brad Crawford of 247Sports ranked Ryan Day as his top Big Ten coach entering the upcoming season. Lanning placed second ahead of James Franklin, Riley, and Kirk Ferentz.
“Ryan Day managed three consecutive 11-2 finishes and Ohio State’s 2024 signing class ranks No. 3 nationally. The issue here is the program’s last playoff win under his watch came in 2020 and three consecutive losses to Michigan followed,” Crawford wrote. “Essentially, those three results and the squandered lead against Georgia in the final four two years ago in Atlanta have defined his tenure with the Buckeyes. No one’s denying he’s an elite recruiter and offensive mind on gamedays, but the 2024 season is pivotal for Day in Columbus and his long-term tenure.”
Day is 56-8 as Ohio State’s head coach, but critics will focus on the losses. The Buckeyes missed the College Football Playoff after falling to the Wolverines again last November.
Sherrone Moore, who served as acting head coach for a suspended Jim Harbaugh when defeating Ohio State, placed eighth in Crawford’s Big Ten coaching ranks.
Facing immense pressure to elevate the program to championship heights, Day has reloaded this offseason. The Buckeyes have added star running back Quinshon Judkins, safety Caleb Downs, and quarterbacks Will Howard and Julian Sayin through the transfer portal.
Ohio State also landed five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, the top-ranked recruit from the class of 2024. That talent makes 2024 a huge year for Day to cement his legacy in Columbus.