One charitable way to view this is Day clearly raising his hand and saying "I need to solve this running game; that if that gets fixed, everything else will come along with it". I would agree with that and honestly be glad he's taking addressing it that seriously.

If Arthur Smith can:
- improves the running game
- improves the offensive line blocking scheme and execution vs the stuff they struggle against (which is NFL style stunts and twists)
- thoughtfully implements Day's passing game, without totally ruining it
- allows Day to focus more broadly and get back mental share for other things (overall gameplan, special teams, roster management, etc.)

We will look back on this as a successful hire.

He won't revolutionize our offense... he's not that kind of hire. But he will professionalize certain elements, especially the run game. And Day clearly is saying that is what he needs.

pnuts34 said:

He prefers to use 1 primary WR, and then the #2 WR and TE then become the next receiving weapons

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pnuts34 said:

There will be a dominant WR1(Smith)

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I'm not quite sure how you can say this as a Steeler fan. (also....look out. somebody around here doesn't like Steeler fans)

DK Metcalf was invisible this year. He'd have like 2 catches for 30 yards in the 1st quarter and then never get another target. I can't even name another Pittsburgh WR.

But does his system take three years for the players to really master it.

My bad. Wrong coordinator thread;-)

brodybuck21 said:

11W Forums

GoBucks24 24 Jan 2026, 8:16 pm
Dakota Guerrant with a Fong Bomb to Oregon.

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That Whittingham hire is paying off already

RugbyBuck said:

I'm on board with all of that; best case. We'll see. My question, though, is how creative can you actually be with the 1 main receiver, TE, RB arrangement you mention?

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Idk, but we can ask the OCs for Denver, New England, Seattle and LA. They didn't seem to have an issue with it, and they played in a 17gm regular season with 2-3 post season games with no issue. And if I dug deeper, I'm sure I could find many more teams who also implemented this method with success as well.
And to add, the WR2 will factor into the top 4 offensive weapons as well. Including that, shows the offense of pretty much every team that made the NFL playoffs.

Again, if I'm wrong, I have no problem being told so and eating a large portion of crow

BuckeyeNation27 said:

You can let the numbers lie to you all you want. If you watched that Steelers offense and came away thinking it was even remotely impressive then I don't know how to help you. A college football offense in 2026 should not be centered around 83 different TEs. Especially one with Jeremiah Smith.

The guy had Bijan Robinson and couldn't figure it out. He's a fucking clown.

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I think the Smith love for using TEs, is quite overblown.
And he had Bijan for his rookie year, its not like he had him for multiple years. Did you expect him to give a rookie RB 300car like he was Derrick Henry? Vrabel/McDaniels barely started Treveyon most of the season and now they're in the SB, using him in a committee, like what Smith did. And you're forgetting his only competent WR was a 2nd year Drake London, so the only other offensive weapons he had were 2 TEs(Pitts and Jonnu Smith). Gotta tell the whole story if you're going to bash the guy.

osuvictory1 said:

What do OSU fans lament with a Ryan Day offense? The run game. When OSU has been strongest, is when the run game has been complimentary to the pass. From some of the pundits are saying, Smith will be very strong in assisting with the run game, to assist the pass. This will also help the offensive line to be better.

We loved Chip, and also Wilson, so I think this hire may be better than the detractors think.

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scarletngray said:

My only concern is not whether or not Smith can do the job, but rather how long will he stay? We will have three OC's in three years. This hire could result in four OC's in four years if after a successful season he jumps back to the NFL. Hoping for both success and longevity. Welcome to Buckeye Nation Coach!

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If he only stays 2-3yrs, that's a massive success. Saban only kept his OCs for the same amount of time and saw success. Plus it keeps new voices in the room. Coordinators aren't staying for 5-10yrs any longer

cmstophe said:

Upgraded over Hartline at the end of the day. How much, we’ll see.

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1 guy who had never called plays and was only a position coach his entire short career, compared to a guy who literally worked his way up the NFL coaching tree, was an NFL HC and OC. And he called plays while being a HC, so 3 different stops he was an actual OC. I'd say that's an upgrade

lvbuckeye said:

He was the head coach in Atlanta. NOT the offensive coordinator. There's a difference.

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But he called the plays, so he was the OC in essence.

iambrutus said:

fall mountain air, summer beaches, bourbon....

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Funny, those are 3 things I don't loathe either

Sorry for writing so many, but there were a lot of interesting posts to respond to.

Hoping to get that one last big check.

Bill Lucas said:

He was gone when the Natty was won.

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You can make a convoluted argument that his absence helped create the adversity and hunger for that 2024 title 2 years after his injury shortened 2022 campaign.

ochre said:

Even Fielding Yost is shaking his head on this one.

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Why? Is he Catholic?

He was gone when the Natty was won.

Win a natty as a Buckeye, get drafted and go Super Bowlin’ in a two year span.




edit: I’m too old for recollectin’ correctly. Which one’s Ebookie?

I'm on board with all of that; best case. We'll see. My question, though, is how creative can you actually be with the 1 main receiver, TE, RB arrangement you mention?

11W Forums

GoBucks24 24 Jan 2026, 8:16 pm
Dakota Guerrant with a Fong Bomb to Oregon.

11W Forums

KYBuck4858 24 Jan 2026, 2:04 pm
Recap of coaches visits this week. After the last wave next week before the dead period, I’ll post a full recap of all visits from Jan and last fall, as well as what I think the big board of the staff’s priorities are.
Day - Mason Wilt, Brody McNeel, Rashad Streets, Quinton Cypher, Kellen Wymer, DJ Jacobs, Angelo Smith
Patricia - Brody McNeel, Rashad Streets, Quinton Cypher, Mekai Brown, Mikahi Allen
Guerrieri - Jayden Aparicio-Bailey, Junior James, Zayden Gamble, Jaden Carey, Turmarian Moreland
LJ - Joseph Buchanan, Chris Whitehead, Rashad Streets, Karlos May
Walt - John Meredith, Taelyn Mayo, Zayden Gamble, Jaden Carey
Laurinaitis - AJ Randle, Mikahi Allen, Grant Bowen (‘28) (I’d be surprised if he also didn’t stop by to see Roman Igwebuike since he was already in Chicago).
Fess - Christopher Vargas (’28), Liam Conlon (‘28 - LB), Champ Monds, Brock Williams
Lock - SaRod Baker, Lathan Whisenton, Wayne Shanks
Bailey - Champ Monds, Brock Williams
Hankton - Kesean Bowman
Bowen - Davis Seaman

Super Bowl Bound!

Super Bowl Bound!