A is for Adversity
This was a very atypical camp for the Ohio State football team. That’s why the coaches and leaders on the team worked so hard to make it as typical as possible.
While Urban Meyer was on administrative leave, his team didn’t see him. He will return to the team in a nearly-full capacity on September 3, but his absence has been impossible for his players not to notice.
The Buckeyes know that this has been a difficult time for everyone involved, including them.
On Monday, acting head coach Ryan Day talked about that difficulty and how adversity reveals character, and that he believes the character of this team is exactly where it needs to be.
“In our conversations what we have talked about is how adversity can reveal character. And if we are an average team, the adversity will crush us,” Day said. “If we’re a good team, then we can survive it. But if we’re a great team, then we can actually get better from it. And I can sit here and tell you over the past few weeks our team has gotten stronger. The team, the players and the coaches have gotten stronger.
“We were down a man. When we first met, the first team meeting, we talked about how everybody in the room has to step their game up, and they have, the leaders and the coaches. What this coaching staff has done here over the past few weeks has been remarkable. Greg Schiano, Kevin Wilson, what they have done for me during this time is something that I’ll always be in debt for, their counsel and what they have done for me has been really something I won’t forget.”
Oh Captain My Captain
The Buckeyes announced their seven football captains last week, with five of them being of the first-time variety, including junior safety Jordan Fuller.
Fuller began last season in a position battle with a senior in Erick Smith. Fuller ended up starting every game for the Buckeyes and not only emerged as a very talented player, but also a growing and respected leader.
When captains were announced last week, Fuller was caught off guard to hear his name, but immeasurably appreciative of the honor.
“I was at a loss for words,” he said. “It’s just…I don’t know… I’m just blessed to be a part of this team, have the teammates that I have. I try to put my heart and soul into everything that I do, and I guess that was noticed and I’m just eternally grateful, that’s the biggest honor I’ve had in my whole career.”
What does Fuller see as his added responsibilities now as a captain?
“Just maintain the culture,” he said. “If we see something we don’t like we gotta let it be known. Really just like any other year, any other captain.”
Brian Hartline Intel
New coaches are always popular subjects. They were in the spring with Alex Grinch and Taver Johnson, and the same has held true this summer with new receivers coach Brian Hartline.
Hartline isn’t unfamiliar with his players, nor are they unfamiliar with him. He has been around every day for over a year working with players, but not in the capacity he is now as the official receivers coach.
So what has he been like as the guy in charge?
“He’s a really hands-on coach,” said fifth-year senior Terry McLaurin. “Really fiery. He won’t accept less than the best. That goes from me down to our freshmen. He’s a guy who’s played the game and been in our shoes, so that’s something that is encouraging to the players because he has seen the game from our perspective, and that’s new for us.
“Just the fact that he brings that different type of mentality to the game and the little things that can make us the best receivers possible.”
