The Opening Drive 1/15: Exploring Possible Ohio State Offensive Coordinator Candidates and a Look at the Roster as it Stands
Who might be the next play caller for the Buckeyes? What does the roster currently look like?
December 3, 2025 was not only national signing day, but it was also the day that Ohio State lost ace recruiter and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline to USF. We all began wondering immediately who would be calling plays next season for the scarlet and gray. Would this signal the return of Chip Kelly? Nope, he’s now at Northwestern. Will Ryan Day go to the NFL ranks again, like he did with Matt Patricia? To be determined. Ryan Day has done a stellar job at keeping coaching hires pretty close to the vest, until a day or two before said hires have been announced. This time has been no different, as there has been little to no intel available. I want to make it clear that these names have not been directly linked to the job, and are just pure speculation on my part. Let’s be honest, the hire is most likely going to be someone that nobody sees coming.
The Easy Option
Current Ohio State OL Coach Tyler Bowen and/or Ohio State TE Coach Keenan Bailey
From a continuity standpoint promoting current staffers Tyler Bowen and Keenan Bailey to a co-oc role would be the easiest path for Day. Bowen did call plays for Virginia Tech in the 2023 season, but given the struggles of the offensive line against Indiana and Miami it may not be the best option to have him dividing his focus. Bailey served as co-offensive coordinator this season, but that was essentially in title only.
The Longshots
Former New York Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll
Daboll was always a pipe dream, but would allow Day to tap in to both the NFL and the Bill Belichick coaching tree. However, Daboll has ended up landing head coaching interviews in the NFL cycle and is thought to be at the top of some NFL clubs list for their offensive coordinator jobs.
Former Washington Commanders Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury
This would be considered the “sexy” pick, as Kingsbury is a fantastic offensive mind. His Houston Cougars offense led the NCAA in basically every statistical category. He has worked with the likes of Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield, Caleb Williams, Johnny Manziel, Patrick Mahomes, and most recently Jayden Daniels at the quarterback position. With the emphasis on the passing game that he provides, this would allow Tyler Bowen and Carlos Locklyn to focus on the run game.
Current Chicago Bears Passing Game Coordinator Press Taylor
Before the NFL playoffs started, Taylor would have been my betting favorite. However, given the success that the Bears offense is having I think he will end up with an OC job in the league. Taylor and Ryan Day were on the Philadelphia Eagles staff at the same time, so there is a connection.
The Familiar Faces
Former Ohio State OC, Tulsa and Indiana Head Coach Kevin Wilson
Wilson currently serves as an analyst at Oklahoma. I’m unsure if Wilson would want to take on the role of OC again, and all that comes with it. However, given the new NCAA rules on coaches and travel Wilson could be brought on and not have to recruit. Wilson and Day seem to mesh very well given the success that the offense had under them. I feel if this were the move that it would have already been announced though.
Current Chicago Bears Quarterbacks Coach JT Barrett
The idea of a first time play caller running the show in the presumed last season for both Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin is not ideal, but if there’s a guy capable of handling it this is him. Ohio State fans have been clamoring for Barrett to find a place on the staff, but nobody truly knows if he wants to be in the college game or continue building his resume in the NFL under Ben Johnson. Obviously, Ohio State has had major success with former Buckeyes coming back to coach in the form of Hartline, Tim Walton, Mike Vrabel, Luke Fickell, and James Laurinaitis. The longer we go without naming an OC, the more I like the idea of bringing JT home.
Who Will It Be?
I wish I could have confidence in any of the guys mentioned, but I honestly don’t think it will be any of them. I truly believe that Ryan Day has a plan, and as with other hires we will all find out a day or two before it is made official.
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