As the 2025 college football season approaches, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day finds himself in search of three new assistant coaches following a wave of departures from his staff. The Buckeyes are also grappling with the challenge of retaining top talent, including standout wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who has been targeted by other elite programs through the transfer portal.
The program is further impacted by the loss of key players to the 2025 NFL Draft, including defensive end Jack Sawyer, quarterback Will Howard, and running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson. Compounding these roster changes, Day has seen three assistant coaches leave this offseason, including both his offensive and defensive coordinators.
The most recent departure is offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who is leaving Ohio State to join the Las Vegas Raiders in the same role under new head coach Pete Carroll. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Kelly’s new contract with the Raiders will pay him an average of $6 million per year, making him the highest-paid coordinator in the NFL. Breer noted that the Raiders’ new ownership has made a significant financial commitment to building a competitive staff, which helped lure Kelly to Las Vegas.
In addition to Kelly, Ohio State has lost defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who has taken the same position with the Penn State Nittany Lions. Offensive line coach Justin Frye has also departed, joining the Arizona Cardinals in a similar capacity.
These coaching changes come at a critical time for the Buckeyes, who are working to maintain their status as one of college football’s premier programs. With a mix of roster turnover and staff reshuffling, Ryan Day faces the dual challenge of rebuilding his coaching staff and keeping his team competitive in the ever-evolving landscape of college football.
