Ohio State head coach Ryan Day spoke to the media over Zoom Wednesday to discuss where the Buckeyes are at on National Signing Day, as well as to talk about the movements on the coaching staff, which include Parker Fleming being promoted to special teams coordinator and Matt Barnes shifting over to coach the secondary.
- Day opened up the press conference by confirming the coaching moves of Fleming and Bailey. Fleming’s promotion fills the vacant spot left by co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, who retired at the end of January.
- Day: “Promoting from within is something I believe strongly in.”
- He said there are still a few guys Ohio State will continue recruiting for the 2021 class over the next couple of months.
- Day on Fleming: “He’s really bright. He’s very sharp. He’ll step into our offensive meetings, he can go over to defense, and I think the guys on the team feel like he’s a wealth of knowledge. I think he’s done a good job of connecting with the players.”
- On the idea of hiring consultants or analysts for the defensive staff: “I am taking a hard look at that, taking a look around to see if there is someone that is the right fit.”
- Day also projected that this year’s spring game will take place on April 17, though that is not a date that is set in stone yet and is more so a tentative plan.
- Day said the moves to coaches will allow defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs to “take a step back” and have a wider view on the defense as a whole now that Barnes is coaching the secondary.
- Day said that, while Ohio State is hoping not to lose any players, he anticipates there will be some players who look to move on, especially if the one-time transfer exception comes into play.
- He said moving Fleming to special teams coordinator did not have anything to do with potential financial constraints due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Day also said no other coaches have gained a co-defensive coordinator tag, meaning that Coombs is now the sole defensive coordinator for the team.
- On the early enrollees from the 2021 class: “These 15 guys have a chance to be special.”
- When asked about a certain incoming freshman that has stood out early on, Day talked about wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. “He looked like a whole different person when he walked in the building.”
- Day said he was specifically impressed with the improvement of safety Lathan Ransom last year in his true freshman season.
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