### Identifying Top Ohio State Buckeyes Coaching Candidates to Replace Ryan Day in 2025
The Ohio State Buckeyes are one of the most storied programs in college football, consistently competing for national championships and dominating the Big Ten Conference. Since taking over as head coach in 2019, Ryan Day has kept the Buckeyes at the top of college football, but speculation about his potential departure in 2025 has already begun. Whether Day moves on to the NFL or pursues another opportunity, Ohio State will be looking for its next head coach. Here are some top coaching candidates to consider when the time comes for a change in leadership.
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### 1. **Luke Fickell – Head Coach, Wisconsin Badgers**
**Current Position**: Head Coach, Wisconsin Badgers
**Previous Experience**: Head Coach, Cincinnati Bearcats; Defensive Coordinator, Ohio State Buckeyes
**Why He’s a Candidate**: Luke Fickell is an obvious contender for the Ohio State job due to his ties to the university. A former Ohio State defensive lineman, Fickell served as the Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator under Urban Meyer, where he helped guide one of the nation’s top defenses. After stints as interim head coach and eventually taking over as the head coach at Cincinnati, Fickell turned the Bearcats into a perennial power in the American Athletic Conference, even leading them to the College Football Playoff in 2021. His leadership and ability to recruit would make him an appealing choice for the Buckeyes to continue their tradition of excellence.
**What Makes Him a Fit**: Fickell’s deep understanding of Ohio State culture and his proven track record of building competitive teams makes him a strong candidate to lead the Buckeyes back to the top of the college football world.
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### 2. **Mark Stoops – Head Coach, Kentucky Wildcats**
**Current Position**: Head Coach, Kentucky Wildcats
**Previous Experience**: Defensive Coordinator, Florida State Seminoles
**Why He’s a Candidate**: Mark Stoops has quietly built a strong program at Kentucky, consistently competing in the tough SEC and delivering impressive wins against top-tier teams. His defensive-minded approach has made the Wildcats one of the more difficult teams to play in the SEC. Stoops also has Ohio ties, having been born in Zanesville, Ohio, and he has consistently shown the ability to develop talent at Kentucky, something Ohio State fans would love to see on a larger stage.
**What Makes Him a Fit**: Stoops has proven he can build a successful program in a tough conference, and his ability to develop talent and win in a competitive environment could translate well at Ohio State, especially if the Buckeyes are looking for a coach with a strong defensive pedigree.
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### 3. **Ryan Day’s Successor – Offensive Coordinator, Ohio State Buckeyes**
**Current Position**: Offensive Coordinator, Ohio State Buckeyes
**Previous Experience**: Various assistant coaching positions, including Quarterbacks Coach, Offensive Coordinator
**Why He’s a Candidate**: Ryan Day’s offensive coordinator is one of the most important positions on the coaching staff, and several members of Day’s offensive coaching tree could be in line to replace him. The most prominent of these candidates is **Brian Hartline**, the Buckeyes’ wide receivers coach and a rising star in the coaching world. Hartline has transformed Ohio State’s receiving corps into one of the most dynamic in the country, and his familiarity with the program, its recruiting pipeline, and its players gives him an advantage.
**What Makes Him a Fit**: Hartline knows the Ohio State program inside and out, and his success in developing NFL-caliber talent at the wide receiver position speaks volumes about his ability to recruit and develop players. His experience as a former player in the NFL also lends him credibility with recruits, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
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### 4. **Matt Campbell – Head Coach, Iowa State Cyclones**
**Current Position**: Head Coach, Iowa State Cyclones
**Previous Experience**: Head Coach, Toledo Rockets; Assistant Coach at several programs
**Why He’s a Candidate**: Matt Campbell has become one of the most respected young coaches in college football, known for his ability to turn around struggling programs. At Iowa State, Campbell took a program that was historically mediocre and elevated it to one of the most competitive teams in the Big 12. His success with limited resources at Iowa State speaks to his coaching acumen, and he has the potential to bring that same level of excellence to a powerhouse like Ohio State.
**What Makes Him a Fit**: Campbell’s ability to develop talent and his success with a lesser program make him a compelling candidate. If Ohio State wants a coach who can maximize the potential of his players, Campbell could be the right choice.
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### 5. **James Franklin – Head Coach, Penn State Nittany Lions**
**Current Position**: Head Coach, Penn State Nittany Lions
**Previous Experience**: Head Coach, Vanderbilt Commodores; Assistant Coach at Maryland, Kansas State
**Why He’s a Candidate**: James Franklin has had great success at Penn State, turning the program into a perennial Big Ten contender. His leadership has led to multiple 10-win seasons, and he consistently recruits at a high level. Franklin’s success against top teams, including Ohio State, makes him an intriguing option. While he’s currently entrenched at Penn State, Franklin has long been mentioned as a candidate for elite programs, and his coaching pedigree would make him a strong candidate to take over in Columbus.
**What Makes Him a Fit**: Franklin’s experience in the Big Ten, his recruiting prowess, and his success at Penn State would translate well to Ohio State, which operates in a similar high-pressure, high-expectation environment.
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### 6. **Deion Sanders – Head Coach, Colorado Buffaloes**
**Current Position**: Head Coach, Colorado Buffaloes
**Previous Experience**: Head Coach, Jackson State Tigers; NFL Hall of Famer
**Why He’s a Candidate**: Deion Sanders’ rise to prominence as a head coach at Jackson State has been nothing short of remarkable. In just a few years, Sanders transformed a historically underperforming program into a dominant force in the SWAC and earned national attention. His ability to recruit top talent, especially from the transfer portal, and his star power could be exactly what Ohio State needs to continue its dominance.
**What Makes Him a Fit**: Sanders has proven he can win with talented rosters, and his brand and personality could help recruit at a national level. His unique background as a former NFL star would bring a new energy to the program.
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### Conclusion
When Ryan Day’s tenure as Ohio State’s head coach eventually comes to a close, the Buckeyes will face the monumental task of replacing one of the best in the business. Whether the university looks internally at rising stars like Brian Hartline, or turns to established leaders like Luke Fickell or Mark Stoops, there will be no shortage of qualified candidates ready to take the reins. With a tradition of excellence and a wealth of talent at their disposal, Ohio State is positioned to find a successor who can continue the program’s winning legacy for years to come.