Two-Minute Drill: Ryan Day and Greg Schiano Address the Media

COLUMBUS — Ohio State’s acting head coach Ryan Day and defensive coordinator Greg Schiano spoke with the media on Monday. They answered questions about their team and the position battles that were won. They also addressed Urban Meyer’s suspension. This being game week, there was also some talk about the opponent — the Oregon State Beavers.

Ryan Day Updates

+ Day understands that there has been a lot of pain and stress over these last few weeks. The team has prepared hard and spoken of adversity building character. The team has gotten stronger over these last few weeks. They were down a man, but everyone has stepped up. Players and coaches.

+ Day will always be indebted to Kevin Wilson and Greg Schiano for their help during this time.

+ Day declined to speak about the report or investigation because he wasn’t part of it and has nothing to add.

+ The brotherhood has been a motivating factor this camp. The tradition of Ohio State has been another. “The people of Ohio, the blood runs thick with Scarlet and Gray.”

+ It has been a whirlwind for Day. “But my goal in this thing was to never replace Coach.” He wanted to empower the coaches and the leaders.

+ Dwayne Haskins had a great camp and improved his leadership. He needs to have a good week of practice because he hasn’t started a game before.

+ He has leaned a lot on Greg Schiano and Kevin Wilson. “This is an experienced staff. It’s got to be the best staff in America.”

+ It has been a challenge to manage all of his roles, and if you saw him during a recent scrimmage it looked like his hair was on fire. Every day it has become more normal. The players understand that as well.

+ The message to the players is “Win the Moment.” They don’t want to focus on the future or the past. They focus their energy on right now. You only have so much energy in a day.

+ On his emotions going into his first game as a head coach: “I’ve been taking it day by day. There is no script.”

+ Ryan Day will be calling the plays with Kevin Wilson. Day will be on the sideline.

+ Tate Martell made great progress, especially in the last two weeks. Dwayne Haskins will start, but “the plan is to play Tate.” The two of them got the majority of the reps. Matthew Baldwin isn’t quite ready because of his knee.

+ There was a team meeting the day after the suspension was announced. The players were a little tired for their 7:00 am meeting, but prior to that, the players were able to keep the situation out of their minds when it came to practice and preparation.

+ The difference between college and the NFL is that the NFL is a business and guys come and go every week. It’s tougher to build relationships. “That’s the part of it that’s hard.” College is more of a family environment. “My son is here all of the time.”

+ “It’s kind of learning by getting thrown into the fire a little bit.” He got a text message from Chip Kelly that said, “You’re built for this.” And that’s the attitude he’s taken through all of this.

+ The plan to win that has been established at this program won’t change offensively, but there will be tweaks.

+ Recruiting goes back to relationships right now. The quality of the kids is good and the relationships are strong. They talk on a daily basis with everyone and have told them to “ask the hard questions.” They may not be able to answer every question, but they want to have an open dialogue.

+ Michael Jordan is the starting center. Demetrius Knox is at right guard. Malcolm Pridgeon at left guard. Josh Alabi and Thayer Munford at left tackle as Munford deals with injuries. Isaiah Prince at right tackle.

+ The core values — including the respect for women — are talked about on a daily basis. “That is addressed consistently with our guys.”

+ Day was very surprised when he was asked to be the acting head coach. “I don’t think anyone could have expected any of this.”

+ “Mickey Marotti is the heart and soul of this program.” What he has done during this time has been amazing. “He is the glue.”

+ Dwayne Haskins has worked on his strength and power, but now has to prepare differently as a starter. “It will be a work in progress, but we’re very happy with where he’s at.”

+ Brian Hartline has stepped in on short notice and brought a lot of energy. He has great experience that he can relay to those guys.

+ The team has been very healthy. Right now there is a chance that everyone on the team can play.

+ Grad transfer QB Chris Chugunov is on scholarship. Day declined to say who has left the roster.

+ All of the receivers are going to play. The depth makes them strong. It keeps them fresh. There are three captains in that room alone. “The plan is early on to play all of them.”

+ Gene Smith told Day he was the acting head coach. Smith told him just to trust his instinct along the way. After his time as the head coach, he notices things differently now. “The perspective is a little wider.”

+ The biggest decision he was in on as the head coach was moving Michael Jordan to center. That was a group decision, but it was probably the biggest one.

+ Dwayne Haskins doesn’t have to be J.T. Barrett. “Along the way, you have to find your own way to lead. That’s been the message.”

+ There are some unknowns about Oregon State with a new coaching staff, so you have to look at where all of the coaches were last year.

+ His family will be at the game. They tried not to make it too big of a deal because he’s just holding a place for Urban Meyer.

+ Branden Bowen has been dealing with returning from his leg injury. He has missed some time. They don’t know when he’ll be back.

Greg Schiano Updates

+ Asked if he expected to be the acting head coach, Schiano said Ryan Day “is certainly qualified to do this.” The entire staff has to step it up and they have done that. The players have followed their lead.

+ Schiano is looking forward to being on the football field again.

+ The Tennessee situation was tough to stomach.

+ They are blessed to have Alex Grinch on this staff. He’s a great addition. “He’s certainly brought some fine ideas.” They have to take his ideas and see how they fit OSU’s personnel and the vision of the head coach. Every year you recreate the defense because the personnel changes.

+ There is great depth at linebacker. Pete Werner, Baron Browning, and Malik Harrison will start the game. They will rotate players at this position, but there are injury concerns right now. There will also be packages.

+ Pete Werner has made quite an ascension. He grew up on special teams last year. That’s the history of the program. He had a great spring. He has matured his body.

+ Tuf Borland may be back this week. “It’s amazing the way he has rehabbed.” As a coach and father, Schiano is hesitant to put him out there, but you have to trust the medical staff.

+ The safety spot opposite Jordan Fuller has been a good battle. Isaiah Pryor and Jahsen Wint will both play. Just as Jordan Fuller and Erick Smith battled early in the season last year as well.

+ The Buckeyes had an outstanding camp. It was a testament to the leaders on the team. It’s impossible to block everything out, but they preached about “keep the main thing the main thing.” No matter what’s going on, you can always grow as a team and a player. Training camp is the only time where it’s just football. That’s when the personality of the team gets built. “I thought Ryan Day did an incredible job.”

+ Urban Meyer is involved in every facet of this program. They miss his leadership and inspiration on defense.

+ Schiano and Ryan Day have talked a lot. In the last 30 days they’ve gotten a lot closer, “and that’s neat.”

+ Schiano’s biggest mistake as a first-time head coach was forgetting his play sheet in the locker room.

+ “Certain guys from the minute they get into this thing are preparing to be head coaches.”

+ In preparing for Oregon State they have studied Washington and Colorado’s offense based on the Beavers’ offensive coaches. Oregon State will line up however they line up and then the Buckeyes will react.

+ It was the third day as acting head coach when Ryan Day spoke with the team, Schiano finally saw Day be himself in front of the team.

+ Justin Hilliard had a tremendous camp and they are very comfortable putting him on the field. And he is one of the top two or three special teamers on the team. There may not be a harder working guy than Keandre Jones. He’s dealt with some injuries. He will play a lot as well. The young guys may not get to play because of all of the other depth.

+ Baron Browning is the middle linebacker.

+ The three-man rotation will continue at cornerback with Damon Arnette, Kendall Sheffield, and Jeff Okudah.

+ At defensive end, Nick Bosa will get his share of snaps. Bosa, Chase Young, and Jonathon Cooper will rotate. Jashon Cornell will get some snaps as well.

+ Schiano didn’t want to answer what happens with Baron Browning when Tuf Borland comes back. It’s not so easy to just say he can move to the outside and be fine. “Right now it’s all about one game.” He has been trained in all of the linebacker spots.

+ Taver Johnson has almost the same amount of energy as Kerry Coombs. He has brought some new ideas to the defensive room. Sometimes change is good, but you also hate to lose buddies like Kerry Coombs.

+ “Urban is, before he’s my boss, he’s my friend.” When Schiano was allowed to, he spoke with Urban and it was never about football. “And I’ll leave it at that.”

+ The leaders stepped up this camp. “They acted like grown men.” They held each other accountable and taught the young players.”

+ It is going to be hard to hold Tuf Borland back. “We’re going to be smart though.”

+ The new redshirt rule is a huge change and they have talked about it a lot at OSU. A freshman is a much different player in November than they are in September. So there is a lot of strategy in deciding who plays when.

+ Asked for four or five freshmen who will play this year, Schiano said he didn’t want to put too much pressure on guys. Tyreke Smith and Tyler Friday and Tommy Togiai are three who could. “I just think you’ve got to let freshmen develop.” He mentioned Taron Vincent as well.