Ohio State won the CFB Championship this year with a record of 14-2, beating top ranked teams such as Michigan State, Texas Longhorns, Indiana, and Notre Dame. After a successful season, you would assume Ohio State would be in good shape for next season. However, they have taken multiple losses since the season’s end.
Defensive Coordinator and Linebacker coach Jim Knowles left Ohio State for Penn State with a deal averaging $3.1m each season for 3 years. The coach is a Philadelphia native and attended high school in the area as well. After leading Ohio state to the #1 defense in CFB last season, Notre Dame sees his potential in helping them back to the playoffs in the 2025-2026 season. Maybe he is the key that they need to compete in the CFB championship.
Analysts including Bud Elliot say that his exit wasn’t just about money, but also influenced by conflict between him and Ohio State’s head coach, Ryan Day. Ohio State has their eyes on Bryan Haines as a replacement. He has deep ties with Ohio and has done an exceptional job at Indiana State.
Not only has Ohio State lost their defensive coordinator but they also have lost Offensive Coordinator and Quarterback coach Chip Kelly. Chip Kelly made the decision to leave for a coaching position with the Raiders. He spoke briefly of their time together and how they both started off coaching for the same team during an interview, and he looks forward to discussing the winning season in the upcoming weeks.
With starting Quarterback Will Howard graduating, Devin Brown and Air Noland transferring, Julian Sayin is favored to start next season. Doubts about his readiness to lead the team have already started. Being a quarterback requires leadership skills, heart and discipline not just skills on the field. The young quarterback also lacks experience.
Justin Frye, offensive lineman coach and associate head coach, is also leaving for a coaching position with the Arizona Cardinals.
The team also has lost assistant defensive line coach LaAllan Clark. According to reporter Matt Zenitz, the Texas Longhorns have been interested in him for a while. The news came shortly after Chip Kelly was announced to be taking up a coaching position with the Raiders.
Hopes are still up for the team given how good of a coach Ryan Day has been. However, fans’ concerns have grown as to if the coach will retire. He has been a coach with the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and Ohio State for 5 seasons now.
