Ryan Day has never been one to sit still. The Ohio State head coach is once again making waves with his bold coaching moves, proving that he’s got a vision far beyond the average strategist.
His shocking hire of Matt Patricia as defensive coordinator sent shockwaves through Buckeye Nation. But Day isn’t done yet. While fans and analysts debate the Patricia move, the real action is happening on the offensive side of the ball. With Brian Hartline returning as offensive coordinator, Day is stacking his staff with elite minds and experienced veterans to reshape the trenches.
And if you think this is just another round of hires, think again. Ryan Day is cooking up something special—a blend of youth, experience, and innovation that could redefine Ohio State’s offense.
So, what’s the master plan? An OSU insider just dropped the details, and it’s time to break it all down.
Ohio State’s O-Line Overhaul: The New Faces Coming to Columbus
On the February 20 episode of Ohio State Football at Buckeye Scoop, insider Kirk Barton delivered major news—Ohio State is bringing in three key additions to boost the offensive line.
Wendy Laurent Joins as an Analyst
First up, Wendy Laurent. A former Penn State offensive lineman (2012-16), he was part of the unit that blocked for Saquon Barkley and is now set to join Ohio State’s coaching staff as an analyst.
Laurent is already familiar with some faces in Columbus. He was a teammate of OSU’s new QB coach Billy Fessler and brings a rising coaching resume to the table.
- Served as tight ends coach at Dartmouth for three seasons
- Promoted to associate head coach in 2023
- Had coaching stints at Buffalo and Penn State
“Ryan Day’s loading up,” Barton noted. “We’re starting to make some moves here. So, we added a ton of O-line guys, which is interesting.”
And Laurent is just the beginning.
Marcus Johnson & Charlie Dickey: The Veteran Hires
If Ryan Day’s goal is to reinforce the trenches with proven experience, he’s nailed it.
Per 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz, Ohio State is bringing in two seasoned offensive line minds—Marcus Johnson and Charlie Dickey—both of whom bring decades of Power 4 experience.
These two aren’t just assistants—they’re battle-tested experts who are expected to work closely with OSU’s new offensive line coach, Tyler Bowen.
- Marcus Johnson was Purdue’s offensive line coach under Ryan Walters for two seasons. Before that, he coached at Duke, Mississippi State, and Missouri (2016-22) and was a standout OL at Ole Miss (2001-04).
- Charlie Dickey spent the last six seasons coaching Oklahoma State’s offensive line. Before that, he held coaching positions at Washington, Utah, and Kansas State (2004-2018).
“He got a couple of veteran O-line guys to help out,” Barton added. “I don’t want to say they’re more qualified than Tyler Bowen, but you’ve got a couple of grizzled old guys.”
With Johnson and Dickey offering decades of experience, and Laurent bringing fresh ideas, Ryan Day is creating a powerhouse coaching team with one goal in mind—dominate the line of scrimmage.
The Strategy Behind Ryan Day’s Moves: The Perfect Balance of Experience & Youth
If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Ryan Day’s coaching philosophy, it’s that he’s always two steps ahead.
The decision to bring in Matt Patricia as DC was met with mixed reactions due to his 13-29-1 NFL head coaching record with the Detroit Lions. But Bobby Carpenter, a former Buckeye who played under Patricia in New England, defended the hire:
“He’s smart, measured, a great communicator, and incredibly creative.”
That’s the kind of personality and expertise Day wants in his staff—not just in defense but also on the offensive side of the ball.
The real masterstroke? Blending youthful energy with battle-hardened experience.
- Veteran coaches like Johnson and Dickey bring decades of technique and strategy.
- Younger minds like Bowen and Laurent connect better with recruits, social media, and modern player development.
And that, according to Barton, is a deliberate strategy by Day.
“I think you’re going to start getting some of these younger guys as position coaches… they’re really good on Instagram, Twitter, recruiting, and playing NBA 2K with these recruits—building relationships and becoming their buddies.”
Translation? Ohio State isn’t just coaching for today—they’re building a future-proof staff that understands modern recruiting and player relationships.
Meanwhile, the “old-school” guys?
“You can fortify it with some of these old heads that don’t want to recruit, don’t want to talk to these kids, and don’t want to be on 2K.”
It’s the perfect blend of innovation and tradition, a coaching formula that could give Ohio State the edge in the NIL and transfer portal era.
Ryan Day’s Ultimate Goal: Championship or Bust
With Tyler Bowen leading the O-line and this dream team of assistants reinforcing the trenches, Ohio State isn’t just making routine coaching hires.
Ryan Day is making a statement.
- The offense is being built to dominate.
- The coaching staff is designed to adapt to the new era.
- Ohio State isn’t playing catch-up—they’re setting the pace.
Now, the only question left—will these moves be the missing pieces that finally get the Buckeyes back on top?
One thing’s for sure: Ryan Day isn’t waiting around to find out.
