PRESSER BULLETS: RYAN DAY PROVIDES SUMMER UPDATES ON OHIO STATE FOOTBALL
A sampling of what Day had to say:
- Day opened up his press conference by congratulating Kevin Warren for being named the Big Ten's new commissioner.
- Day also made note of the team's APR, which earned them a public recognition award from the NCAA, in his opening statement.
- On the mental wellness fund Ryan and Christina launched Wednesday: "This is something that hits home for us." Described mental health as an "epidemic in our country right now," and he and his wife believed it was important to contribute. "We see mental health as a major issue. We see it at the college level, we see it with our team."
- Day said it is important for Justin Fields to spend time throwing to his receivers during the summer on his own because the coaches aren't allowed to do that with him until fall camp. "He's done a good job so far. He's been working really hard in the weight room," Day said, but also said there's no substitute for his lack of experience.
- "I have high hopes for the offensive line." Said Thayer Munford is "really looking strong right now" after missing the spring due to injury.
- On the rash of transfer movement at the quarterback position: "The transfer portal and all that goes on, that's not great for college football in a lot of areas, but it is what it is."
- Day said he liked that Gunnar Hoak was from Central Ohio but also that he has experience playing in the SEC. Said he thinks Hoak will be able to pick up the offense quickly and is doing well so far.
- On recruiting: "This month is a big month of us." Said at the end of June, Day will have a better feel for where the Buckeyes are in terms of building their class of 2020.
- On new quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Mike Yurcich: "He's got a huge job in front of him," referring to having to work with a brand new Ohio State quarterback, but "I brought him in for a reason."
- Day said recruiting Ohio does take precedence, and it does matter to the staff when players are from the state or have Ohio ties.
- Day said he recently had the opportunity to spend time with the other Big Ten coaches and Jim Delany, which helped him learn some of the other aspects of being a head coach.
- Day said the Buckeyes have three lifting groups a day during the summer – broken up in various ways depending on workout – while they also do conditioning work and have summer classes. Because there are less classes in the summer, Day said this is an important time for players and coaches to spend time together and build camaraderie.
- His thoughts on the transfer portal: "It's a complicated issue ... There are parts of it that I completely understand, there are other parts that make me very, very nervous, where college football is going with it."
- Day said he believes it is important to talk to players about both the positives and negatives when they come to Ohio State so that they aren't caught off-guard when they arrive and prone to transfer early.
- On the H-back position: "That H position can take on a lot of different roles. It could be a third receiver, it could be a second running back or a second tight end, based on the body type." Said Jeremy Ruckert, Rashod Berry, Demario McCall, K.J. Hill, C.J. Saunders and Jaelen Gill can all play that spot in various roles.
- On losing his father to suicide when he was nine years old: "I think when you're young and something like that happens, you go through a range of emotions, from angry to sad ... and then when you get into your 20s and 30s, you get a better perspective on how that happens." Said he considers mental illness to be like any other illness, and believes it's necessary to break the stigma. Said the Buckeyes have multiple sports psychologists to work with their team to help through any issues they might have with mental health.
- Do you prepare longer for speeches now that you're the head coach? "Yeah, a little bit."
- Day said the linebacker competition is still unsettled. Everyone is still battling.
- Day says people always ask what if he doesn't win a national championship, what if he doesn't beat Michigan. Day: "I always come back with, 'What if I do?'"
- On J.K. Dobbins: "He's one of the guys that has to play good ... He has to play good for us, especially in the first six games of the year."
- Day said this spring that he would limit transfers to two per school. After signing three scholarship transfers himself this offseason, "I've realized that it's a complicated issue."
- On Gunnar Hoak: "He's going to come in, he's going to get reps with the ones and he's going to compete for the starting job." Said Justin Fields didn't win the starting job in the spring, but the real competition begins in the preseason.
Entire article:
https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2019/06/104603/presser-bullets-ryan-day-provides-summer-updates-on-ohio-
state-football
Two-Minute Drill: Ryan Day With Some June Updates on the Buckeyes
Here are the highlights.
+ Day started out by congratulating Kevin Warren on being named Big Ten commissioner.
+ Proud of the team’s APR being second in the Big Ten and near the top nationally.
+ Day spoke about the decision made by him and his wife Nina to start a fund for teenage and adolescent mental health. He believes increased awareness and funds can really have an impact on children over the next 20 years. Nationwide is one of the first hospitals to be equipped for a project like this. Mental health has always been very important to Day and his wife and they are hoping to impact and save lives moving forward.
+ Physically, God gave Justin Fields a ton of gifts, but they can’t substitute experience. There is film, workouts, and throwing on his own with his receivers, and then preseason camp in an effort to prepare him. He has been doing a good job in the weight room. He studies film on his own. “It can’t just be the eight hours a week.”
+ “I have high hopes for the offensive line.” Thayer Munford is really looking strong right now. “I think it could be a strength for us.” They need to gel, but it’s a talented group.
+ The way quarterbacks transfer in today’s game has forced the the program to stay alert. The quarterback position is planned out years in advance and when they transfer, it creates unrest in that timeline. The transferring that goes on is “not great for college football in a lot of areas.” They have done a great job of filling the quarterback room back up.
+ Day likes that Gunnar Hoak is from Columbus. He has played in games and has experience. Has already done a good job of picking up the offense.
+ Defensive recruiting is going to be big in June.
+ If the coaching staff doesn’t look good in the offseason, you’ve got a problem. This staff is getting along very well. There is a good mix of ages and backgrounds. The players also see how the staff interacts together and can pick up on those vibes.
+ In recruiting Ohio has precedence over everybody. Growing up a Buckeye fan matters. On the recruiting board, every prospect from Ohio is in red and every other prospect is in black.
+ Right now there are three lifting groups per day depending on class schedules. They life, they run, they have drills, and they have class.
+ The transfer portal is a complicated issue. There are parts that he understands, but there are other parts that make him “very, very nervous.” It is an ongoing issue and has now become something they consider when they recruit. The portal forces coaches to be very clear with the expectations they have for their players in recruiting and also once they arrive. They need to know that it isn’t going to be easy because the coaches don’t want players leaving at the first sign of difficulty. You have to be transparent in recruiting with the players and parents.
+ Day sees the H-back as a third receiver, second running back, or second tight end, based on the body type. They have each of those guys who can be that H at any point. The best 11 will be on the field.
+ As a child, Day lost his father to suicide and he eventually learned that mental health issues are a sickness like cancer or anything else and it needs to be addressed. This team will have two sports psychologists available to the players. He wants people to know that there is no shame in needing help or asking for it.
+ Nobody has emerged since the end of spring at linebacker more than anybody else. This is a hungry group. “They’ve read things. There’s not a lot of smiles on their faces right now.” Day expects a very good season from the linebackers.
+ JK Dobbins needs to have a great season. The team is relying on him.
+ Day doesn’t foresee any lingering issues with Thayer Munford.
+ There are no roster updates right now.
+ Day doesn’t get to think about football as much as he used to, but it’s still on his mind plenty every hour.
+ Mike Yurcich picked up on the offense and the language very quickly and has totally bought in. Sometimes that’s easier with younger coaches.
+ Gunnar Hoak will get some reps with the ones and will compete for the job this fall.
Entire article:
https://theozone.net/2019/06/ryan-day-june-updates-buckeyes/
