COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ryan Day had a polarizing task on Wednesday.
On one hand, it marked the opening of the early signing period. Ohio State football signed one of the nation’s top classes, giving promise for the future of the program.
However, it also marked the first time Day held a press conference since speaking following Ohio State’s fourth straight loss against Michigan on Saturday.
As a result, he faced tough questions.
Does Day expect to be back as Ohio State’s coach next year?
“Yes,” he said.
Has he considered stepping down?
“No. No. This is a wonderful place,” Day said. “I’ve got a great job — one of the best jobs in America. It’s a challenge at times. I’m disappointed about this more than anybody . It crushes me. But, we’re going to continue to move and figure out what it is and overcome this obstacle.”
Here’s everything Day said about the signing class and how his team is moving past the loss with the College Football Playoff looming.
What Ryan Day said about signing class, moving on from Michigan
- Day on how long some signees had been committed: “It’s got a chance to be one of the best classes in the country. It starts off with … loyalty along the way.”
- Day praised defensive back Devin Sanchez for being a leader among defensive signees and quarterback Tavien St. Clair on the offensive side.
- Day on addressing offensive line recruiting in the coming weeks: “We have to do that.”
- Day praised receiver Jeremiah Smith for what he’s done as a freshman. Looking ahead, he said, “There are some guys that can step in and play.”
- Day on St. Clair: “We just felt like he separated himself from the class. From then on, he was focused on recruiting the class. You could see the leadership skills in him.”
- Day on St. Clair handling expectations as a highly-rated quarterback out of Ohio: “It’s not going to be normal for him in his town of Bellefontaine.”
- Day praised James Laurinaitis (linebackers), Carlos Locklyn (running backs) and Matt Guerrieri (safeties) for their work recruiting as first-year coaches on staff.
- Day on four-star signee and tight end Nate Roberts: “He wanted to be a Buckeye through and through.”
- Day on recruiting in Alabama: “You’re seeing more and more guys from that area considering Ohio State.”
- Day on having a five-star quarterback from the sate anchoring the future of the program: “It’s the first time since I’ve been here that this has been the case.”
- Day compared wide receiver signee Phillip Bell to Emeka Egbuka.
- Day on the Michigan loss: “I feel like the defense played excellent. From the Oregon game on, some of those adjustments that have been made have been excellent.”
- Day on the offense vs. Michigan: “It was not a good day … Some of that had to do with the coaching.”
- Day feels Ohio State didn’t push the ball out to the perimeter enough vs. Michigan.
- Day said red zone execution wasn’t strong enough on offense against Michigan.
- Day on the various mistakes, particularly on special teams: “Ultimately, that comes back on me as the head coach.”
- Day on the team looking forward: “We’ve got a chance to go play for a national championship.”
- Day compared Ohio State’s situation to an NFL team that makes the playoffs through the wild card. He feels his team has a chance to build momentum with a first-round game.
- Day on kicker Jayden Fielding: “We wouldn’t have put him in the game if we didn’t feel confident in him … You’ve got to do your job.” Ohio State will evaluate his play in practice.
- Day said the loss vs. Michigan still stings, particularly for the seniors. Ohio State will get back onto the practice field Wednesday, which he thinks is the first step toward rebuilding excitement from the postseason.
- Day said Howard’s injury did not impact play-calling.
- Day was asked why fans should believe he’s the coach that can lead this team after failing to reach two goals this year: “The culture is as strong as it’s ever been. I think we have great players. I think we have great coaches. It was a bad day. Now, we have to go forward. The mindset is go win the whole thing now.”
- Day said he never had to discuss his future with recruits.
- Day on if he’s lost any confidence in himself: “Not at all.”
- Day said he was in shock after the game. He never expected it to happen.
- Day on his message to fans who are out on him: “I feel their frustration … I know this, we’re going to play really hard in (the CFP).”
- Day on the offensive line: “We’re definitely going to contemplate some rolling at the least.”
- Day on the support from the administration and donors: “I think everybody is frustrated. We know it’s not acceptable … Everybody knows that we have to go and attack this thing moving forward.”
