### Ryan Day Reassumes Offensive Play-Calling for Ohio State Amid Coaching Transition - Ohio State's head coach Ryan Day will take over offensive play-calling duties for the College Football Playoff (CFP) following the departure of offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, who accepted a head coaching position at South Florida on December 3, 2025. Hartline will remain with the Buckeyes through the playoffs, focusing on coaching wide receivers while Day leads the offensive strategy. This change comes as Ohio State prepares for their quarterfinal game against Miami at the Cotton Bowl on December 31, 2025. Day previously called plays during his first five years as head coach and emphasizes that the game plan will be a collaborative effort with input from other coaches, including tight ends coach Keenan Bailey. Ohio State enters the playoffs with the fifth-ranked offense among the remaining teams [https://apnews.com/article/ohio-state-cfp-miami-7ef9a0ca303160cafdf7aa957430d88e]. ### Breakdown of Ohio State's Coaching Changes and Game Strategy 1. **Transition of Play-Calling Duties** - Ryan Day is stepping back into the role of offensive play-caller, a position he held for five years before handing it over to Hartline [https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ryan-day-ohio-state-play-calling-college-football-playoff-brian-hartline-usf]. 2. **Impact of Brian Hartline's Departure** - Hartline's new role as head coach at South Florida necessitated a shift in responsibilities, allowing him to focus on coaching wide receivers while Day manages the offensive strategy [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/ryan_day_takes_ohio_state_play_calling_role_from_brian_hartline_for_cfp/s1_17047_43238413]. 3. **Game Plan Collaboration** - Day has indicated that the offensive game plan will be a collective effort, involving other coaching staff members, which aims to maintain a cohesive strategy despite the transition [https://www.si.com/college-football/ryan-day-calling-ohio-state-plays]. 4. **Performance Context** - Ohio State enters the CFP with a strong offensive ranking, being the fifth-best among the eight remaining teams, which sets a high expectation for their performance against Miami [https://www.newsweek.com/sports/ncaa/ohio-state-game-plan-offense-miami-texas-am-11256494]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Offensive Ranking**: Ohio State is currently ranked fifth in offensive performance among the eight teams in the College Football Playoff [https://www.newsweek.com/sports/ncaa/ohio-state-game-plan-offense-miami-texas-am-11256494]. - **Coaching Transition**: Brian Hartline's transition to head coach at South Florida occurred on December 3, 2025, prompting the need for Day to reassume play-calling duties [https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ryan-day-ohio-state-play-calling-college-football-playoff-brian-hartline-usf]. - **Collaborative Strategy**: Day has emphasized a group effort in developing the game plan, indicating a structured approach to the upcoming playoff game [https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/ryan_day_takes_ohio_state_play_calling_role_from_brian_hartline_for_cfp/s1_17047_43238413]. ### Conclusion: Strategic Shift for Ohio State's Playoff Aspirations - **Key Findings**: 1. Ryan Day's return to offensive play-calling is a strategic move aimed at leveraging his experience as Ohio State prepares for the College Football Playoff. 2. The transition comes at a critical time, with the team needing to maintain offensive effectiveness against a strong Miami defense. 3. Collaborative planning among the coaching staff is expected to enhance the team's performance despite the recent changes. This strategic shift is crucial for Ohio State as they aim to advance in the College Football Playoff, with Day's leadership expected to play a pivotal role in their success [https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ryan-day-ohio-state-play-calling-college-football-playoff-brian-hartline-usf].