CFB Fans Blast Desmond Howard for Suggesting Outlandish Ryan Day Replacement
In a season where the stakes are exceptionally high for Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, College Football fans have been buzzing over an audacious suggestion from ESPN’s Desmond Howard. Howard, a former Michigan star and current College Gameday analyst, recently proposed that if Day fails to lead the Buckeyes to a National Championship, Ohio State might consider replacing him with Chip Kelly. The suggestion has ignited a firestorm of criticism and disbelief among college football enthusiasts.
The Context of the Controversy
Ryan Day has been a remarkably successful head coach for Ohio State, boasting an impressive 56-8 record and an 87.5% win percentage since taking over the program. His tenure, marked by strong regular-season performances, has also seen its share of challenges. Despite his successes, Day has struggled against Michigan, with the Buckeyes losing to their archrivals for three consecutive seasons. Additionally, his record in the college football playoffs stands at a disappointing 1-3.
Given these struggles, some have speculated about Day’s job security. However, Howard’s recent comments on ESPN’s *Get Up* have taken these discussions to a new level. Howard suggested that if Day cannot deliver a National Championship this season, Ohio State might contemplate a dramatic coaching change by bringing in Chip Kelly, the current offensive coordinator at UCLA and a former head coach at Oregon and the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles.
Howard’s Provocative Proposal
Howard’s proposal was rooted in the idea that Ohio State might already be preparing for a potential coaching transition. He pointed out that the Buckeyes hired Chip Kelly as their offensive coordinator, which some interpret as a strategic move to have a potential replacement in waiting. Howard remarked, “I think the people at Ohio State pushed all of their chips to the center of the table, and some fans may say if we got rid of Ryan Day, who would we hire? They went out and hired Chip Kelly as the offensive coordinator, so if things go awry, I think they have somebody who’s behind Ryan Day. So yeah, I think Ryan Day is on the hot seat right now.”
Fan Backlash
Howard’s suggestion was met with widespread backlash from the college football community. Many fans took to social media to express their disdain for the idea, highlighting several key points of contention.
1. Historical Context and Fan Sentiments:
One fan pointed out the historical context of rivalries and coaching tenures, saying, “Bro talking that talk like it didn’t take Harbaugh 10 years to beat Ohio State.” This comment reflects the belief that even successful coaches can face long-standing challenges and that Day’s performance should be viewed in a broader context.
2. Chip Kelly’s Preferences:
Another fan questioned Kelly’s interest in returning to a head coaching role, stating, “Not a chance in hell. Chip Kelly does not want to be a head coach anymore. He’s made that pretty clear.” Kelly has publicly expressed a preference for focusing on coaching rather than dealing with administrative aspects of a head coaching position, making the idea of him taking over at Ohio State seem implausible to some.
3. Administrative Burdens:
Further criticism came from fans who highlighted Kelly’s reluctance to engage with the off-field responsibilities of a head coach, such as managing NIL deals and booster events. One fan pointed out, “Desmond misses the biggest point. The whole reason Chip spent two months applying for assistant jobs is because he HATES dealing with NIL…HATES dealing with the portal. HATES having to do booster events. He just wants to watch film and coach.”
The Bigger Picture
While Howard’s suggestion has clearly struck a nerve, it underscores the immense pressure on Ryan Day and the Ohio State program this season. With a roster considered among the best in the nation and the debut of the 12-team playoff format in 2024-25, the expectations are sky-high. Despite the backlash, Howard’s comments reflect an underlying truth: in college football, even a coach with Day’s remarkable success can face scrutiny if the season does not meet the lofty goals set by fans and the administration.
In conclusion, while the idea of replacing Ryan Day with Chip Kelly may seem far-fetched and has been met with significant criticism, it serves as a reminder of the intense expectations and high-stakes nature of college football. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Ohio State to see if Day can navigate the pressure and deliver the results that will secure his position and meet the ambitious goals set for the Buckeyes.
