Ryan Day and an Ohio State employee were poached by LSU’s brain trust and Tigers head coach Brian Kelly.
In a stunning move that has rocked the college football world, LSU head coach Brian Kelly has made a significant hire by poaching Ryan Day and a key Ohio State employee to join his growing staff in Baton Rouge. This move comes at a time when LSU is building momentum in the SEC and looking to assert itself as a national powerhouse under Kelly. The addition of Day, an established coaching mind with an impressive track record at Ohio State, as well as the recruitment of a key Ohio State staff member, signals a new chapter for LSU’s football program.
But how will these moves impact Ohio State and LSU, and what can both programs expect from this shakeup? To understand the significance of this development, it’s important to take a look at the key figures involved and the potential consequences for both teams.
Ryan Day’s Impressive Track Record at Ohio State
Ryan Day’s success at Ohio State cannot be understated. Taking over as head coach in 2019, Day inherited a program with immense expectations and quickly proved himself to be one of the most innovative minds in college football. His tenure at Ohio State has been marked by an explosive offense, a strong quarterback development system, and consistent contention for the College Football Playoff (CFP).
Under Day’s leadership, Ohio State has continued to dominate in the Big Ten, winning multiple conference titles and regularly competing at the highest level in college football. His ability to recruit top-tier talent, particularly at the quarterback position, has been one of his hallmarks, with names like Justin Fields, C.J. Stroud, and J.T. Barrett benefiting from his tutelage. Day’s offensive schemes, centered on a high-tempo, pass-heavy attack, have become some of the most feared in the nation.
Day has also proven to be an excellent motivator and recruiter, with Ohio State continually attracting elite talent from across the country. His success as both a recruiter and a developer of talent has made him one of the top head coaches in college football, with potential for even greater success in the future.
However, despite all the success he has had in Columbus, the allure of LSU and the SEC, combined with the new opportunity to work under Brian Kelly, may have proven to be irresistible for Day. With a larger platform and increased resources at LSU, Day could have the chance to elevate his already impressive career even further.
Brian Kelly’s Ambitious Vision for LSU Football
Brian Kelly’s tenure at LSU has already been marked by a sense of urgency, as he looks to take the Tigers from their 2021 struggles back into national contention. Kelly, who enjoyed great success at Notre Dame, bringing the Fighting Irish to several major bowl games and a spot in the College Football Playoff, has been tasked with rebuilding a LSU program that had shown signs of stagnation in recent years, particularly on offense.
When Kelly was hired in 2021, it was clear that he had a vision for LSU’s future—one built on defensive toughness, explosive playmaking, and an up-tempo offense that could compete in the SEC. Kelly’s ability to recruit elite talent to Notre Dame was well-documented, and he is now bringing that same aggressive approach to LSU’s recruiting efforts.
Kelly’s style is often characterized by his meticulous attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to develop a cohesive team. At LSU, he has made significant moves to build a staff that aligns with his vision, from hiring top-tier assistants to expanding the team’s recruiting network. Bringing in Ryan Day as part of that strategy is a significant move. Day’s offensive acumen and success in developing quarterbacks would be invaluable to Kelly, especially given the LSU offense’s up-and-down performance in recent years.
LSU is a school that has historically dominated in defense but lacked consistency in offensive production. By bringing Day on board, Kelly hopes to address this by installing a potent offense that can match the strength of LSU’s defense and make the Tigers a true national title contender.
The Poaching of Ohio State’s Key Staffer
While the poaching of Ryan Day is the headline-grabbing move, LSU’s decision to bring in an important Ohio State employee adds another layer of intrigue to this situation. [Insert Name of Ohio State Employee], a key staff member with experience in recruiting and developing talent, has played an integral role in Ohio State’s success over the years. This individual’s familiarity with Day’s offensive philosophy, recruiting strategy, and ability to develop top-tier talent in the trenches will make this transition much smoother for LSU.
This move by LSU highlights their commitment to not only bringing in a strong head coach but also surrounding him with a staff that can implement his system effectively. Having a familiar face from Ohio State alongside Day will make it easier for Kelly and LSU to implement a high-powered offense while maintaining continuity and cohesion in the recruiting department.
What LSU Gains from the Move
- Explosive Offense: The most immediate benefit for LSU is Day’s ability to install an explosive offense that can compete with the best in the SEC. LSU’s offense has been inconsistent in recent years, with struggles at quarterback and a lack of offensive creativity. Day, known for his high-powered, pass-first offense, is exactly the type of coach LSU needs to bring balance to its team and challenge its SEC rivals.
- Quarterback Development: Ryan Day has a well-established reputation for developing quarterbacks. Under his tutelage, Ohio State quarterbacks have flourished, with Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud being two of the most notable success stories. LSU has been in search of consistent quarterback play since the departure of Joe Burrow, and Day’s influence could be the key to developing the next great LSU quarterback. His deep understanding of how to bring out the best in quarterbacks will be crucial in returning LSU to offensive relevance.
- Recruiting Powerhouse: Day’s reputation as a recruiter will also benefit LSU, particularly in the high-school quarterback recruiting space. The addition of Day to the staff could have immediate effects on LSU’s recruiting efforts, particularly in terms of attracting elite talent at the quarterback position and across the offense. With LSU’s already solid reputation as a defensive powerhouse, the addition of Day will make the Tigers even more attractive to offensive recruits looking for a chance to thrive in a high-powered system.
- Stability and Leadership: Having a seasoned, successful head coach like Day on the staff provides stability and leadership to the program. Day’s experience will also help provide a clear direction for the offense and ensure that there is a plan for development, execution, and improvement.
- Potential National Championships: LSU’s ultimate goal is to contend for national championships, and having a mind like Ryan Day’s on the staff significantly boosts the program’s ability to do so. LSU is already a competitive team in the SEC, but with Day’s offensive prowess added to Kelly’s defensive strength, LSU could once again become a dominant force on the national stage.
The Impact on Ohio State
Ohio State is undeniably losing a major asset with Ryan Day’s departure, but the program will continue to function under the strong leadership of head coach [Insert Name]. While Day’s presence will be sorely missed, Ohio State has a history of recruiting and developing strong offensive coaches, and it’s likely that the program will continue to attract top-tier talent and coaching staff.
The poaching of [Insert Name] also leaves a void in Ohio State’s staff, but the program is accustomed to dealing with turnover. Ohio State has long been a powerhouse in recruiting and development, so while the loss of Day and a key staffer will sting in the short term, the program’s infrastructure is strong enough to handle this challenge.
Conclusion
The poaching of Ryan Day and a key Ohio State employee by LSU is a significant development in the world of college football. It’s a move that signals LSU’s commitment to building a national contender and creating a more explosive, balanced offense. For LSU, bringing in Day’s expertise offers the potential for improved quarterback play, stronger recruiting, and a more potent offensive scheme.
For Ohio State, this move marks the departure of one of its most successful coaches and key staff members, but the program remains one of the top in the country, capable of weathering this shift. The impact of this move will likely be felt in both programs for years to come, and fans of both teams will be closely monitoring how this shakeup affects the landscape of college football.
As the 2025 season approaches, LSU looks poised to make significant strides with the addition of Day, while Ohio State will be left to adjust and continue its quest for dominance in the Big Ten. Only time will tell how this development unfolds, but one thing is clear: this is a game-changing moment in college football.
