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Ryan Day receives ringing endorsement from former Buckeyes QB Cardale Jones

Dustin Schutte

By Dustin Schutte

Published:

It’s hard to replace a legend. That’s the challenge Ryan Day has been tasked with after Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer decided to retire at the conclusion of the season.

Day has limited head coaching experience. The only time he’s run a program was when Urban Meyer was suspended for three games earlier this season for his mishandling of the Zach Smith situation.

The Buckeyes went 3-0 in that stretch, defeating Oregon State, Rutgers and TCU.

This will be a new venture for Day and he’ll be taking over for a coach who won three B1G titles, a national championship and posted a perfect 7-0 record against Michigan. Those are some Shaquille O’Neal size shoes to fill.

But Day received a ringing endorsement from a former Ohio State star over the weekend, and it seems even more relevant today. Cardale Jones — the quarterback who led the Buckeyes through the College Football Playoff to a national title in 2014 — says OSU is in good hands.

“Ryan Day is the best thing to happen to the Ohio State offense since the absence of Tom Herman,” Jones wrote on Twitter. “Developing players and calling plays that benefit their skill sets.”

Ohio State’s offense has been prolific under Day and quarterback Dwayne Haskins has excelled. The Buckeyes averaged 43.5 points per game this season, good enough for eighth in the country. Haskins led the nation in passing yards (4,580) and touchdowns (47).

It was one of the most explosive and feared offenses in the country throughout the season.

Now, we’ll see if Ohio State’s offense continues to produce at a high level with Day taking over head coaching responsibilities.

If a player like Jones is backing him, it has to be a good sign for the future of the Buckeyes.

Dustin Schutte

Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB