Scarlet Sunrise: Revamped Ohio State staff full of possible head coaches

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Retooled staff for the Buckeyes loaded with future head coaches

The jump from assistant to head coach is sizable and challenging to make for a number of reasons. The situation has to be just right for both parties, there are only a limited number of those positions available — and for Ohio State coordinators and position coaches, sometimes the salary is going to be comparable or better just staying put.

But for those guys who want to run their own show at some point, the Buckeyes have also become a respected proving ground for future head coaches. And this staff that Ryan Day has put together is loaded with rising stars in the profession who will annually be listed as candidates for open positions and getting interviews for top jobs. It also doesn’t hurt at all that Tom Herman is bringing Texas back and Luke Fickell has quickly rebuilt Cincinnati into one of the toughest Group of Five squads in the country, which only helps when athletic directors are looking at other resumés that have an Ohio State entry.

So, who will be adding their name to that expanding coaching tree? And how long will the Buckeyes be able to keep this group together? Lettermen Row senior writer Austin Ward looks closer at the revamped staff put together by Ryan Day in Wednesday’s Question of the Day.

Ohio State needs two tailbacks to drive the ‘Cadillac position’

Urban Meyer declared the running back position at Ohio State as one of the country’s “Cadillac positions.” A position rich in tradition and success and one that will never really go out of style. While a number of other schools fight for the title of “RBU,” the tailback room in Columbus has remained one of the most consistent and talent-filled positions for decades at Ohio State.

But the offense appears to be changing at Ohio State, again. Ironically, when Meyer took over the reins of the Buckeyes program in 2011, the only potential knock against him on the recruiting trail was that he’d never had a traditional running back in his storied career. Carlos Hyde, Ezekiel Elliott, Mike Weber and J.K. Dobbins quickly put that talking point to pasture, but now, after a 5,000-yard passing seas0n with Ryan Day’s offense and the step forward taken by a deep and talented receivers room, questions about how Ohio State will refuel the Cadillac position become important to answer.

Dobbins will almost certainly depart for the NFL following the 2019 season, and that leaves only Master Teague and incoming freshmen Marcus Crowley and Steele Chambers at tailback. That’s a talented trio, sure, but at Ohio State, it doesn’t meet the desired, expected embarrassment of riches experienced throughout history.

With that said, Lettermen Row director of recruiting Jeremy Birmingham discusses possible prospects for the future of the Buckeyes backfield in Wednesday’s Recruiting Question of the Day.

Michael Carmody surprised by offer from the Buckeyes

On Tuesday we mentioned that the Buckeyes had offered Mars (Pa.) 2020 offensive lineman Michael Carmody, a player who visited the school a handful of times in the last year. A 6-foot-6, 285-pound tackle, Carmody told Lettermen Row that finally landing an offer from Ohio State caught him off guard.

“It was a real surprise,” he said. “It kind of just came out of the blue, honestly.”

That surprise may be the result of Ohio State’s recent coaching changes. Western Pennsylvania had primarily been recruited by former linebackers coach Billy Davis, who had taken over that region from former linebackers coach Luke Fickell. Carmody, the nation’s 24th-ranked tackle, was offered by offensive line coach Greg Studrawa. The timing of the offer, according to Carmody, is likely linked to game film showing him much heavier — and on the offensive line — after playing the last two seasons at tight end.

“I think it was because last year I was playing at around 250 pounds,” he said. “They wanted to see if I could still play with the same athleticism at a heavier weight. I was planning on [playing tight end] this year as well, but on the first day of camp they moved me.

“Playing tight end in the Wing-T is basically playing tackle anyways and that was the position everyone was recruiting me for.

For more on Carmody and all things Ohio State recruiting, check out Wednesday’s edition of Dotting the ‘Eyes.

Terence Dials excited about DJ Carton

The solution for the biggest problem at Ohio State is clear, even though it’s too early for the program to use it.

Until DJ Carton arrives, the Buckeyes will just have to keep finding temporary answers at point guard until the more permanent fix is on the roster.

What makes Carton such a coveted addition? How much can he provide the Buckeyes right away? What parts of his game might actually be underrated at this point? Former Ohio State standout Terence Dials dove into those questions in his latest BuckIQ episode with an eye on the future for the program.

WATCH: Terence Dials analyzes DJ Carton

Men’s hoops keeps NCAA Tournament hopes alive

Ohio State still doesn’t have a ton of breathing room, but at least it got to relax in the final few minutes for the first time in a while.

After an up-and-down slog throughout the majority of Big Ten play and even stretches of forgettable basketball on Wednesday night, the Buckeyes finally pulled away, asserted themselves and earned a reprieve from late-game pressure in a comfortable win.

The program couldn’t afford to not to knock off Northwestern at Value City Arena if it was going to stay alive in the chase for an NCAA Tournament berth. And it definitely won’t take the 63-49 decision over the Wildcats for granted given all it has been through since New Year’s Day — and with a rugged schedule still ahead of it.

But the Buckeyes earned their celebration and the chance to empty the bench in a conference game. And Lettermen Row is breaking down what that win means with Three Points.

Counting down

• Ohio State hoops at Maryland: 2 days
• Oho State spring game: 51 days

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