Ohio State's offense has a good thing going, so Urban Meyer doesn't want to mess with it.
After the Buckeyes averaged 608.7 yards per game (third-most in the Football Bowl Subdivision) and 56.3 points per game (second-most in the FBS) in Ohio State's first three games of the season, which Meyer was forced to watch from home while serving a suspension, Ohio State's head coach said Tuesday on the Big Ten teleconference that he will allow offensive coordinators Ryan Day and Kevin Wilson to continue leading the way in calling offensive plays.
"I think Ryan Day and Kevin Wilson have done such a great job, but I’m going to be the game manager," Meyer said Tuesday. "Obviously I’ll be involved, but more of a game manager."
In Day and Wilson's first season on Ohio State's coaching staff last year, offensive play calling was considered to be a more equally collaborative effort between the three, with Meyer often making the final say on which play the Buckeyes would run. With the success that Dwayne Haskins and the Buckeyes offense have had without him on the sidelines, though, Meyer wants to allow Day and Wilson to continue to do their jobs the way they have been.
"I was back two weeks ago, and I even asked today how do I assist?" Meyer said at his press conference Monday. "I'm a fundamental person, a ball security guy. I watch things very closely. I'm very involved in the kicking game. I have not been that involved in the offense. I give my ideas. And I think they're doing exceptional. So I'm trying to just help, do the best I can."
Meyer also confirmed Tuesday that Day, who served as acting head coach during Meyer's three-game suspension, will continue to coach from the sidelines this week. Day coached from the press box alongside Wilson, who will remain in the booth, last year.
With the Buckeyes 3-0 going into this Saturday's game against Tulane (3:30 p.m., BTN), Meyer has had nothing but praise for the job Day did in leading the team while he was away.
"He’s an elite coach," Meyer said Tuesday. "I knew that when I hired him. He’s a guy that I wanted to get on my staff for quite some time, and he’s just very organized, very strong and he’s got a good staff behind him. Does a very good job."
