COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio State’s first steps toward trying to win back-to-back national championships begins a week from Monday.
“Feel like we just got done with the season,” coach Ryan Day said.
The Buckeyes will start the spring football season March 17 and will conclude it with the spring showcase on April 12 at Ohio Stadium. Day addressed the media to discuss preparations for the spring season. You can watch Day’s comments in the video player above.
The spring season will begin nearly two months after Ohio State won its ninth national championship, defeating Notre Dame 34-23 in Atlanta on Jan. 20. Ohio State’s title game win concluded the first 12-team playoff, with the Buckeyes also defeating Tennessee at Ohio Stadium, Oregon in the Rose Bowl and Texas in the Cotton Bowl.
“As you look at our team, there’s a lot of guys who played a lot of football,” Day said. “Those guys will be treated a little differently than other guys.”
Since the final whistle blew in Atlanta, the team has gone through numerous roster and coaching changes. Fifteen former Buckeyes are off to the NFL draft, and star receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs headline the players returning.
Day says the focus this spring season will be on replacing the players who have left.
“That’s the biggest key is replacing those guys,” Day said. “We have holes that we need to fill.”
Day will have a new-look coaching staff that includes two-time Super Bowl champion defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, who replaced Jim Knowles, now at Penn State.
“I think we have to look at how we can continually evolve with the defense,” Day said. “When you look at his defense, they’ve always utilized his players.”
The offense will be led by co-coordinators Brian Hartline and Keenan Bailey, who both were promoted after winning the national title and due to Chip Kelly’s departure to the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders. Hartline will take over play-calling duties from Kelly.
“I believe Brian is going to do a great job as offensive coordinator. He’s grown in a lot of areas,” Day said. “He’s ready to call it now.”
The Buckeyes begin their national title defense on Aug. 30 when they play Texas at Ohio Stadium in a Cotton Bowl rematch. They are aiming to join Georgia as the only program to repeat as champions in the playoff era.