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What new Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said at his introductory press conference
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Just a few minutes after Urban Meyer finished his statements to announce his retirement as Ohio State’s head football coach, offensive coordinator Ryan Day was announced as the successor.
Day has been on Ohio State’s staff for the last two seasons, serving as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He also took over responsibilities as interim head coach while Meyer served a three-game suspension.
Thanks to the Buckeyes’ offensive success, Day became a hot candidate for just about any vacancy across the country. Ohio State was determined to keep Day in Columbus, and for good reason.
During the press conference, Day was able to talk about becoming the head coach, his experience under Meyer and how he plans to continue the tradition with the Buckeyes.
Here’s what Day said on Tuesday as Ohio State’s new head coach:
Ryan Day: "It didn't take long for me to figure out what the expectations are for Ohio State football. No. 1, win the rivalry game, and No. 2, win every game after that."
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 4, 2018
Day to Buckeye Nation: "You have my word that I'm going to do everything I have to continue the tradition of excellence and winning that this program has."
— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) December 4, 2018
Ryan Day on his commitment to his players both on and off the field: "My pledge to the players is our staff is going to give you every opportunity to maximize yourself."
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 4, 2018
Day on his wife and taking the job: "She wasn't sleeping last night, that's for sure. I don't think it's sunk in for us yet."
— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) December 4, 2018
Day: "The last 48 hours happened very vary fast." Said he and Smith had general conversations but nothing that specific.
— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) December 4, 2018
Ryan Day: "I feel confident about our offense's ability to adapt to our personnel year in and year out." Says the Buckeyes will continue to be aggressive on defense, and that they will continue to incorporate all of their best players on special teams.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 4, 2018
Ryan Day: "Every coach who ever put a whistle around their neck strives to be the head football coach at The Ohio State University … being on the same list as Paul Brown, Woody Hayes, Earle Bruce, John Cooper, Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer, it's extremely humbling."
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 4, 2018
Ryan Day said Ohio State's other assistant coaches are still on the road recruiting, and that's the focus right now. At the end of the season, he'll go through and evaluate things and make decisions on which staff members will be retained.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 4, 2018
Day: "Most of what Coach has built here will stay."
— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) December 4, 2018
Q: When did you know you wanted this job?
Ryan Day: "Probably when I was growing up, and probably when I was watching the Buckeyes on TV and watching them play The Team Up North."
Day said it was a "surreal experience" to be offered the job, and it was not a tough decision.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) December 4, 2018
Day: "Coach Meyer is always going to be a resource for me. Depending on how much he wants to be involved, the door is always open."
— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) December 4, 2018
Ryan Day takes the podium. Starts by thanking OSU president Michael Drake, the board of trustees, Smith and Urban and Shelley Meyer. "Your legacy will live on here forever."
— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) December 4, 2018
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