Today’s Topic: How is Ohio State’s Defensive Staff Meshing?
When Ryan Day set about putting his defensive coaching staff together, he wanted a good mix of “young” and “old.” And in hiring three coaches he had coached with before — and one he had coached against — he also wanted some familiarity.
Having that familiarity with his hires gave him a pretty good idea of how well they would mesh. He knew their personalities fairly well and believed their temperaments were all in line with each other.
It also didn’t hurt that two of them — Greg Mattison and Al Washington — were already working together.
But bringing in Jeff Hafley as co-defensive coordinator from the San Francisco 49ers, and assistant secondary coach Matt Barnes from Maryland, there was still going to be a period of getting to know each other.
The coaching staff met together when they could when they first arrived, but most of those days were spent on the road recruiting.
When they were able to meet, however, their interactions were essentially what Ryan Day was looking for when he made his hires.
“It’s been great so far,” Barnes said. “I had the opportunity to work with Coach Mattison in the past, so I can’t tell you how much football I learned from Coach during that experience. A lot of smart people in the room, and I think Coach Hafley mentioned it before, but it’s the full-time staff members all the way down to the GA’s and the QC’s, and no idea is a bad idea. And when the door is closed, a lot of opinions are being talked through, and at the end of the day, we make a decision and we go full speed ahead with it.”
Now that the 2019 recruiting hay is in the barn, the staff can really get into the 2019 season and their preparation for spring football.
The hours aren’t any shorter inside the WHAC, cloistered in meeting rooms and talking about personnel while devising ways to best put them on the field, but at least the coaches get to go home at night.
And even a new staff spends enough time together just in their first few months to feel like long-time colleagues.
There are also enough meetings to understand where everyone is coming from and everybody’s own personal football philosophies.
“The dynamic has been awesome so far,” Barnes said. “And for me as a little bit younger coach, it’s afforded me the opportunity to learn from some great minds, so it’s been — so far it’s been unbelievable.”
I just wasted my time reading all the garbage bickering back and forth like children….grow up or take it elsewhere
Bill- did you notice I’ve hooked you like a Northern Pike? Of course you haven’t…
Heck, we don’t even recognize all the newbies… In the group pic, who is the guy between Hafley & Wilson? Likewise, the guy between Hartline & Day?
Group Dynamics is a funny animal. It will be interesting to look at this again towards the end of Spring Practice.
Hafley had me at hello – so I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of leadership he provides. As for the article, not sure they are meshing but it does appear to be some chemistry. I can say this with some certainty – regardless, the defense can’t get much worse than last year. Just looking at the SF back end that i assume Hafley coached last year, they did a good job #11 pass defense without a great pass rush and no pro bowl players. So, my guess is the defense (Silver Bullets) will rank in the top 10 in the nation next year – likely around 8 or 9 with the personnel and coaching they have.
A football fan site that engages in speculation is not exactly unique. I enjoy reading the speculation and take it for what it is. We will see what happens when the Buckeyes take the field.
Altbuck- yep, it’s not unique, which is (in a roundabout way) the point. Is it so off base to expect better than the norm? Also, what you read in this article is NOT speculation, it’s fantasy- there is ZERO substance upon which to speculate. Speculation would require, say, a half season worth of games to compare against last year’s coaches and their decisions/performances. There is NONE of that…
Finally, the site you enjoy reading censored a reply from me to Tony’s snarky passive aggressive response below- which naturally was NOT censored by the way. My response was sharp, accurate, not obscene or threatening, AND put him in his place…so their response was to smash it. Great stuff from the master of the empty word himself, Tony “The Speculator” Gerdeman…
Short version- the article was fluff.
Again, this type of writing goes beyond speculation, it’s more accurate to call it “fan fiction” at this point. There were clearly too many cooks in the kitchen the last couple years- or at least that was the impression I got. However, that impression came after actual game results. Nothing has happened which could possibly serve to answer the question in the title. There HAS to be some empirical data first.
What did I write that is in accurate? Any speculation is direct quotations from the coaches doing the meshing. Do we know how things will go this season? No. But this was about how things are going so far.
Unless version has been edited from original there is only 1 coach quoted so to be fair you are incorrect in writing any “speculation is direct quotations from the coaches.” single source articles frequently VERY speculative.
“Coaches” as a singular group. Barnes is answering the question. Not me.
coach (singular). coaches (plural). inaccurate (one word) .
Tony- what it “is about”, is filling space. It’s college football dead time- we all know it. Here’s the thing: there’s nothing wrong with college football “dead” time, it’s been that way for decades. There is something wrong about turning it into “garbage” time, however…
Let’s try this- how about an article with actual substance? If we can’t have that, how about an article that avoids evaluative comments about coaches (and players, who’ve gotten the same treatment) who haven’t even stepped onto the field yet? Good heavens, give them a chance to perform at least.
All of the things you are looking for are on the site. Every single day. The purpose of the Constitutionals is to provoke thoughts (which is where the term “morning/evening/daily constitutional” comes from) by asking questions — many from readers when I ask for them, and attempting to provide answers — or allowing coaches or players to do it through their very own words. It’s a pretty simple, fun concept. By your loyal readership, it’s clear that this has been a solid strategy. If you are unhappy with this daily exercise, just scroll the site and you may find something that doesn’t make your blood boil.
Used to be days without anything to read about at all, this time of year. How about people quit b*tching and moaning about everything and simply not read? There are 2 handy hyperlinks just above the comments, below every article. One says “Previous” and the other says “Next”. Any article I have no interest in, typically the podcast ones, the postgame photos and recently the basketball team results, I simply scroll down and press “Previous”. Crisis avoided!
I’ll take filler over zero new anything at all, any day of the week and a double helping on Sunday (please?).
Funny thing about newspapers, magazines and websites. The reader has the choice on what they read or don’t.
It’s February 23rd, winter conditioning. A dead period where the only coaches allowed to give the players ANY instruction are Coach Mick and his staff.
Longtime grumpy fan, do you write the television networks every time you see something on the television that you don’t like? Or do you switch to another station? Here’s a thought: go start your own web page and give your whiny little snarky brethren a place to go to read some substantive content, so everybody can be happy.
Michael Jennings- preach brother, preach! OF COURSE the reader has a “choice” on what they read or don’t- hello, McFly? That’s the easy part, 1st grade level reasoning you just showed mastery over. (although it’s kinda tough not to read something before commenting on it, right?…)
Here’s the trickier part- and no, I don’t expect you to understand it. SOME people expect more than “filler” (your word there, by the way) and look for signs that the fan base for their team isn’t the stereotype it’s portrayed as. These fawning fluff pieces (and your defense of them) do NOT help. Seems like you’re the type who moves his lips as he reads. And there’s no “crisis” anywhere near this issue, it’s more absurd than urgent…
Finally, you do realize that, in accusing me of b*tching and moaning in such a lengthy way, YOU have showed yourself to be a b*tcher and moaner, right? Does that irony strike you at all? Of course not! Thanks for proving MY point and, as always, don’t go thinking too much today.
I would think you would be above “speculative” articles. Why are you bothering to read them and even worse, comment on them. Let me try my best to avoid passive aggressiveness….you’re an idiot!
Bill- Once again, you’ve deftly managed to avoid intelligence and the ability to discern substance from cotton candy, which is not a surprise. You are also wrong in calling me an idiot, although I do recognize that name calling is the only arrow in your quiver…now go back to your spot in the lemming line. Perhaps you’d care to take wild guesses about the favorite color of each new coach? How about an insightful discussion about which coach wears boxers, and which wears briefs? Is that about right? Yep…
You NEVER disappoint in your rapid responses to criticism. I laugh at you. Even under an alias, I can’t believe you’re not embarrassed. I pray you’re a teenager. I will eagerly await your response. Give it to me with both barrels…LOL!!!!!!
Bill- I’d love actual “criticism” from you, you just can’t muster it. (Calling someone an “idiot’ isn’t criticism, it’s name calling). Can’t give it to you with both barrels on this site. I won’t apologize for refusing to follow your crowd, Billie Boy.
This just in….calling someone an idiot is criticism! Some self reflection should fill in the blanks.
Well, Bill… you DO have lots of blanks in that space between your ears. Well done!