Ohio State last month in the College Football Playoff was like watching an aircraft carrier turn around. “Everybody says you’re great but you’re not,” former coach Jim Tressel speculated after Ohio State won its ninth national championship with a 34-23 victory over Ohio State. Of course, Tressel spoke from experience through the lens of what current coach Ryan Day and his family go through every week in Columbus. “The next day, they say you suck and you don’t.” “That’s what happens when you’re the head coach at Ohio State,” quarterback Denzel Burke said. “We’re the most hated show but also the most loved.”

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Gene Smith is the now-retired AD who took Day a young offensive coordinator with no head coaching experience after Urban Meyer’s tumultuous final days. Day, who had his first full season in 2019, has reached the CFP four of six seasons and has an all-time record of 70-10. Later on the field, Smith explained his reasoning while appearing to refer to Meyer. “This is a great program with a great culture and great kids. That hasn’t always been the case for us,” Smith said. “You don’t see these kids in trouble. You don’t read about the police anymore. Among FBS coaches with at least 50 games, Day is currently second only to Knute Rockne in winning percentage. You can stay and build an empire in Columbus, if you want. There are numerous references to the famous team meeting on Tuesday after the loss to Michigan. Group meetings take place regularly. This meeting took place in an important way and is a reflection of the man in charge.  “I told him he’s a great leader. He’s built for this,” said Chip Kelly, who coached Day as the offensive coordinator at New Hampshire and is now working on his team in a similar role, said. “He’s been preparing for this all his life and there will be adversity that he has to face.