Ohio State Officially Confirms Ryan Day’s 1st Coaching Staff

While Ryan Day’s first coaching staff as Ohio State’s head coach has seemingly been set since early January, there was no confirmation that additional changes were out of the question.

That changed Wednesday afternoon when Ohio State officially announced Day’s 10-man coaching staff as his first spring leading the Buckeyes approaches. The group includes five holdovers from Urban Meyer’s staff and five new additions.

“I am really excited with this foundation of coaches who will mentor, coach and prepare in all areas the young men in our program,” Day said. “I am obviously very comfortable with the coaches who have been here and helped us win consecutive Big Ten championships and bowl games, and I am thrilled they want to continue to help this program pursue championships and achievements.

“I am also confident the new assistant coaches will make an immediate impact on this program. I’m really looking forward to working with this staff these next couple months shaping the program and developing our players for the 2019 season.”

Returning to the fold are defensive line coach Larry Johnson, who was also promoted to associate head coach, assistant head coach for offense/running backs coach Tony Alford, offensive line coach Greg Studrawa, offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Kevin Wilson and wide receivers coach Brian Hartline, who spent 2018 on staff in an interim capacity before being promoted to a permanent spot in December.

The new additions are highlighted by two defensive coaches that arrived in Columbus from rival Michigan – co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison and linebackers coach Al Washington. Co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Jeff Hafley arrives from the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL while special teams coordinator/assistant secondary coach Matt Barnes signed on after previously coaching at Maryland. Day also hired Mike Yurcich from Oklahoma State to be passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

For now, the staff has limited time with the team as they go through winter workouts, which began last Thursday and go up until the beginning of spring drills the week of March 4. Ohio State’s annual spring game is set for April 13.

Day’s first season as head coach is scheduled to begin at home Aug. 31 against Florida Atlantic.

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