It’s not since the night the state of Ohio lost the national championship game that head coach Ryan Day has spoken publicly about his team.

Friday morning, two weeks after the 52-24 loss to Alabama, Day jumped on a Zoom with local media to preview the offseason. He discussed Greg Mattison’s retirement, quarterback competition and more.

A look at what Day had to say (with a video to come):

Ryan day

  • He begins by thanking everyone at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center: “From our medical, sports medicine, strength and fitness staff, everyone in the building. You can’t just point out a person because you offend someone … “Without all these people, none of this happens.”

  • Day announces Greg Mattison will retire: “I can’t thank him enough for what he has done.” … “We’re working on replacing Greg. It won’t be easy.”

  • Asked about the introduction of transfers: “I think when you look at our squad right now, first of all, we have a great culture.” If they make a transfer, they want to make cultural adjustments. “More than ever, Mark Pantoni and his team are looking to see what’s out there.” He says they’re still looking to see whether or not they can upgrade in certain areas, but he doesn’t see any significant holes.

  • Day says it’s “really important” that everyone in the program take a deep breath and walk away from each other. “The guys are still reloading.”

  • Mid-year registrants must self-quarantine for a week until they can begin the program. His message to Aussie punter Jesse Mirco: “It just gets better from here.”

  • “Once February 1 rolls around, that’s when we start to get back to work.”

  • Day says he’s “really proud” of his overall schedule for following health protocols during the 2020 season. “We haven’t cut corners.”

  • He says the state of Ohio will consider all options to replace Mattison. They are considering hiring someone for the specific Mattison position or shifting coaching responsibilities with the next assistant coach hire. “No, I’m not really determined what the role should be.”

  • On some veterans coming back to the fold: “It gives us a huge boost as we head into spring.”

  • Day says the defensive structure of the state of Ohio “will evolve”. They are in the process of discussing whether they want Mattison’s replacement to be someone with expertise in their low and high four security base defense or someone with other experience.

  • The Return of Haskell Garrett and Antwuan Jackson: “Really excited that Haskell and Antwuan are back.” He says defensive tackle was a concern heading into the 2020 season, and then Garrett broke. Day says Garrett had COVID-19 in early summer and then got shot, so he wasn’t having an optimal offseason.

  • Day says this season has been more difficult because there have been interruptions and fewer games.

  • On the gap between Ohio State and Alabama: “The gap is much narrower now than if we hadn’t played a season. If Alabama had come through this season and we hadn’t played a season, the gap would have been really hard to make up. ”

  • On the quarters: “I would have liked us to be further ahead. Day says they will have to find ways in the spring to give them so many “game situations” because they can’t go into Game 1 without getting a feel for what they have. “(It) can be a unique way to make spring.” He says they will be looking at a “different spring model”.

  • Day says the state of Ohio has been in communication with the NFL regarding the set up of the state of Ohio professional day and its logistics.

  • He says if you were to ask Pete Werner, Justin Hilliard, and the linebackers he’s spent so much time with, they would “talk for a while” about their relationship with Greg Mattison. He also worked with Jeff Hafley to change the defensive scheme: “In a year it worked on the pitch at a high level.”

  • On CJ Stroud and Jack Miller: “They’re both young. They’re both learning offense and discovering it.” … “Now they are fighting to be the starter.” He says they got to see what Justin Fields was up to this year. They both need to get stronger in the offseason, he says. “I don’t think either of them is more advanced than the other.”

  • Day says the first registrants will start Mickey Marotti’s program on February 1. “I think all of these guys want to come here and compete.” He says “hungry” players will find a way to get noticed. He says he’s interested to see what sort of “football shape” they are in.

  • He has not heard any update on the next date that recruits will be allowed on campus.

  • On whether the state of Ohio will fit more rookies into the 2021 class: “I really don’t have much. We’re pretty full right now.” … “There might be a spot available.”

  • On Jeremy Ruckert: “Ruck’s comeback is really important. I think his best football is ahead of him.” He says they will have to “create depth” behind Ruckert with Luke Farrell and Jake Hausmann having left.

  • Day says finding Olave is “really important” because of his attention to detail. He says his return will give him “more voice”. He calls the wide receiver a “huge area” from which the Buckeyes will have to see development.

  • He says his family stayed in Florida for a few days and then in New Hampshire for a few days before returning to work.

  • On the quarterfinals competition: “These guys are going to ride, and they’ll have as many reps as possible.” If someone breaks up early, Day says, they’ll have more reps.

  • On Gene Smith as a potential candidate to be Pac-12 Commissioner: “Gene and I haven’t had any conversations about this.” … “If something like that happened, it wouldn’t be good.” He says Smith’s leadership has been “unwavering”.