I love Mitch Daniels. He may not have been referring to ND so much but I’m sure he knows what most of the schools are doing. I wish I could post a link to the article but it’s pay walled.
I think there was a lot of reading between the lines from articles like this one. Latest Jim Knowles update has Ohio State fans even more disgusted with his exit
Regarding Knowles replacement: A Look at 11 Possible Candidates to Replace Jim Knowles As Ohio State’s Defensive Coordinator | Eleven Warriors
Birmingham is usually a pretty reliable source so my guess is there is more truth there than fiction. My best guess is that there were a variety of reasons behind his departure, not in any order: 1) He's an east coast guy. Grew up in Philly, went to school and coached at Cornell and Duke and he ain't getting any younger; 2) No more mountains to climb in Columbus. Came in to improve on the 62nd ranked defense in the country. He built them into the #1 ranked defense and won a national title, got himself a ring; 3) There has always been tension between he and DL coach LJ Jr. LJ was not a fan of how Knowles liked to use some of his edge rushers as hybrids in certain configurations and made his feelings known. After the Oregon game there was clearly more friction between he, LJ JR and Day. Knowles advocated more rotation/substitution along the front, LJ preferred less among "his" troops. Day had to step in to get things sorted....at the time I thought it was clear that LJ was going to leave at year end, but surprise, it was his "boss". 4) $$$$$$$ - though I think it likely that we would have made it worth his while to stay. That he was rumored to have "ghosted" us after our counter suggests he was gone anyway.....I'm leaning towards some combo of 1 through 3. In any event, we lost a good one.....
I'm a big fan of Jim Leonhard. Loved him as a player at Wisky, loved him as DC at Wisky, loved him during his 10 year NFL career. He was a walk-on at Wisky until he scored a schollie his senior year. Kid was a monster in the back end of the Wisky D. Bright, young, tough, hard nosed, midwest guy that knows what it takes to succeed and get to the league with instant credibility. I'd love him even more as DC in Columbus
BuckeyeT, I have to admit Leonhard sounds like a winner, certainly has more longterm success in his background.
I don't think it's paywalled; https://www.dispatch.com/story/spor...state-in-rare-lateral-job-change/77968244007/
Could be Don....seems to be alot of discussion around Matt Guerrieri, our current safeties coach. He's very young, but a Knowles disciple - coached with him at Duke for a few years - and by all accounts has a great relationship with Caleb Downs. He's a devotee of Knowles system/philosophy, knows it well and Day thinks very highly of him. Wouldn't surprise me to see him get the job tho I gotta believe Day will have his hands full managing the egos/chemistry of some of the other more experienced assistants - re: Walton and LJ Jr. in particular. Walton could get a promo by giving him the entire DB room, LJ Jr may be ready to hit the rocking chair soon any way. If he does, I'd hate to see him go, but it's gotta happen sometime, he's 73 years old.
Last time the Longhorns visited Columbus, they came away with the win on the road to a national championship. Jr. QB Vince Young was at the helm. This year it will be Jr. QB Arch Manning, can history repeat itself? It was quite the trip for me, Gerry (RIP) booked us into a suburban hotel that was out of power or something and we had to hang out at strip club across the parking lot till they got things sorted out. Stu got robbed. I had a great time. Never could hook up with BuckeyeT he was over where the heavy drinking was going on and Texas fans were not welcome!! 1. Texas at Ohio State (Aug. 30) (Photo: Getty) Is there really any argument against this being the most anticipated non-conference game of the 2025 season? A rematch of the College Football Playoff semifinal in which Ohio State defeated Texas on its way to the national championship, the Longhorns make the trip north to Columbus seeking redemption. This is not unfamiliar territory for Steve Sarkisian and Texas, which beat Michigan on the road early in the 2024 season to knock off the reigning national champions. Ohio State and Texas have each won 11 and eight consecutive regular season non-conference games, respectively.
I am confident fans will be thrilled with this game so early in the season.Should be a good one for sure.
Looks like the Buckeyes are going to need a new offensive line coach as well. Frye is leaving for Arizona Cardinals NFL. We are going to really be challenged moving forward to next season. Tough way to for an unnamed QB to start the season? (Saying)? I really am surprised we are rated the number one pick!
Don, I believe the football world these days sees Ohio State as a team that doesn't rebuild; they reload. I'm sure that goes for both players and coaches.
Interesting article Stu, I must admit my initial thoughts when I learned Knowles & Frye were both leaving Ohio State, I shell shocked. Now after reading the above article, it is amazing how the public reacts to the media and the power thy have to sway opinion, mine included!
People like that are everywhere. It’s entirely possible that the worst of them are not even Ohio State fans and just live for anonymous threats no matter the target. UGH!