Some doubters previously suggested that Ryan Day’s start at third base when he succeeded Urban Meyer, but last Friday, he proved them wrong by hitting a home run.
While Bill O’Brien was seen as a solid addition to Ohio State due to his experience and offensive leadership, the substitution of Chip Kelly for O’Brien as OSU’s offensive coordinator, after O’Brien moved on to the head coaching position at Boston College, could potentially be an even more impactful move for Day’s offense.
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Bringing on board the former UCLA head coach means combining a head coach renowned for his passing expertise with Kelly, who has a track record of directing potent rushing offenses. It’s a pairing that appears ideal, at least in theory. With Kelly onboard, Day has a seasoned offensive play-caller and former head coach he can rely on to handle play-calling responsibilities, a role Day is relinquishing for the first time during his tenure at Columbus.
Interestingly, Day once quarterbacked Kelly’s offense at New Hampshire. Now, the tables have turned, with Kelly quarterbacking Day’s offense metaphorically as the 60-year-old assumes the reins of the offense while Day takes on a more CEO-like role for the program.
“Run the damn ball” is a classic refrain in football, reflecting a sentiment held by fans everywhere, whether justified or not. So ingrained is this idea that the Eleven Warriors Dry Goods shop even sells a T-shirt bearing the phrase.
With Kelly now at the helm of the offense in 2024, Ohio State supporters can anticipate a greater emphasis on running the ball compared to recent seasons. This shift is partly due to OSU’s personnel, particularly the addition of high-profile transfers Will Howard and Quinshon Judkins, who mesh well with Kelly’s offensive style. One could argue that Kelly’s approach aligns more seamlessly with OSU’s personnel than O’Brien’s would have.
While Kelly won’t introduce an entirely new style, his ingenuity as an offensive strategist should bring positive elements to Ohio State’s offense. Notably, Day’s offense has shown distinct tendencies, especially favoring the running game when lined up in certain formations. With Kelly focused solely on coordinating the offense, the Buckeyes should be able to break away from these patterns, making their offense less predictable.
In Kelly’s previous roles, his offenses have frequently leaned towards running the ball, with instances where they’ve run on over 58% of plays. Comparatively, since Day assumed offensive play-calling duties at Ohio State, the team’s offense has been more pass-oriented, running on around 54% of plays during his tenure.
During a discussion on The Joel Klatt Show, Klatt expressed his belief that Ohio State will become a more formidable running team under Kelly’s leadership. He emphasized the historical significance of Kelly coaching Day during their time in New Hampshire, highlighting the trust and familiarity between them. Klatt also noted the importance of Ohio State improving its running game, especially in matchups against formidable opponents like Michigan.
Kelly’s offenses have historically favored running quarterbacks, with significant rushing contributions from the QB position in his teams’ games. Pairing this tendency with Day’s preference for a mobile quarterback suggests that Ohio State’s QB might see more involvement in the running game this season.
Day and Kelly have consistently led some of the top offenses in college football, according to FEI ratings, showcasing their offensive prowess over the years.
With both coaches contributing to the offensive game plan, Ohio State’s offense in 2024 is poised to be dynamic and potent, blending a strong passing attack with a formidable rushing game. With a talented backfield and receiving corps, the Buckeyes have the potential to be one of the nation’s most potent offenses this season.
