Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork has publicly expressed support for Ryan Day one day after the Buckeyes’ loss to Michigan.
While there have been many calls from Buckeye fans for Ohio State to make a coaching change after the Buckeyes suffered their fourth straight loss to Michigan on Saturday, Bjork told the Columbus Dispatch on Sunday that his focus is on supporting Day as he and the Buckeyes turn their attention to preparing for the College Football Playoff.
“Our full focus right now is on the College Football Playoff and making a strong run,” Bjork said. “We have a ton to play for. We have a great team made up of talented players and great young men. Coach Day does a great job leading our program. He's our coach.”
Bjork praised Day for the stability of Ohio State’s program under his leadership.
“There's a ton of stability across the board within the program,” Bjork said. “We're always in the top five under his leadership. We're right there. We have great fan support, great donor support.
“Our program is built to last, and coach Day has done that," Bjork added. "He has put us in a great spot.”
It would have come as a surprise if Ohio State made any coaching change before the CFP, so Bjork’s opinion on Day certainly could change if the Buckeyes make an early exit from the playoff. Asked by the Dispatch if he was concerned that Day had lost the support of Ohio State donors and fans, Bjork said “there's going to be a time and a place to analyze that piece of it.”
“We’re disappointed (with Saturday’s loss), but he’s our coach,” Bjork said. “I’m focused on supporting our players and our coaches and continuing to get to know our fan base and our donor base and leading through this disappointing time.”
Day could eliminate questions about his future by leading Ohio State to a national championship, though, and that’s what Bjork wants everyone to be focused on right now.
“Let’s go make a run in the playoff. That’s all I’m going to say,” Bjork said when asked if he would be swayed by public opinion when considering Day’s future. “Let’s go make a run in the playoff. That’s what we’ve got to do.”
