Happy Monday morning!
Like we do every week, grab a cup of coffee and let's talk about what's going on in the world of Ohio State football and men's basketball.
It didn’t take long for Al Washington.
Al Washington was a highly coveted commodity at this point last season.
The Ohio State linebackers coach was targeted to be Tennessee’s next defensive coordinator, but chose to stay in Columbus for another season with the Buckeyes.
In 2021, that didn’t really go as planned for Washington, from the size of the room getting smaller and smaller either because of the transfer portal or because of injuries, to the lack of success the room had at points in terms of run fits and in pass coverage.
A change needed to be made, and those changes were made last week, with Washington and defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs sitting on the outside looking in of a complete retransformation of the Ohio State coaching staff with the hiring of Perry Eliano and Tim Walton to join defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Jim Knowles and defensive line coach Larry Johnson: the only remaining member of the 2021 defensive coaching staff.
The changes started Thursday. By Sunday, Washington already had another job.
The former Ohio State linebackers coach is now Notre Dame’s defensive run-game coordinator and defensive line coach, joining first-year head coach and former Ohio State linebacker Marcus Freeman’s staff.
With less than three days on the market, Washington proved to still be a hot commodity.
Why?
He was an incredible recruiter for Ohio State, playing an integral role in recruiting CJ Hicks, Sonny Styles and Gabe Powers, turning the momentum of the room and starting the process of rebuilding the linebackers room into one with a lot of young pieces with high potential. He’s a very good communicator and has developed relationships incredibly well, leading to some of the highest-profile recruits coming to Ohio State in 2022.
His track record is also pretty substantial. At Michigan, he developed players like Devin Bush, Josh Uche and Khaleke Hudson, all former All-Big Ten award winners. At Ohio State, he developed Pete Werner, Malik Harrison, Baron Browning and Tuf Borland — each of which are currently on an NFL roster.
And he’s a young coach, a former player, making him someone incredibly relatable to the players in his room.
It’s why Ohio State wanted him in the first place.
Washington’s dismissal wasn’t because he wasn’t talented. It was just that there needed to be a change of voice in the room, one that came from the top: Knowles.
That’s where the change is going to come for Ohio State’s defense. Washington left Ohio State with a room of potential, whether it’s Hicks, Powers, DeaMonte Trayanum, Cade Stover, Steele Chambers, Cody Simon, Tommy Eichenberg and, possibly, Styles. Washington’s move signifies that it's time for Knowles to start the process of refining the talent already acquired.
It will be interesting to see where the two parties are at Sept. 3 when Washington is in blue and gold, standing on the away sideline at Ohio Stadium.
Speaking of Sept. 3…
Ohio State’s 2022 football schedule changed a lot last week.
Each of the Buckeyes’ non-conference games remain the same next year, but their conference schedule is not completely shifted.
How will it change the outcome of the season? Really, it can only help.
Let’s walk through it.
Sept. 3 — Notre Dame — Marcus Freeman will come to Columbus with something to prove. But it’s a team that will still be in transition with an entirely new coaching staff and culture in South Bend.
Sept. 10 — Arkansas State — A non-conference home blowout here, one of two straight, along with Toledo. This should be an early-season depth test, seeing how far down the depth chart the Buckeyes could go as Big Ten play approaches.
Sept. 17 — Toledo — See Week 2 against Arkansas
Sept 24 — Wisconsin — Instead of opening Big Ten play on the road at Michigan State, Ohio State gets the chance to host Wisconsin. Yes, it could be a preview of the Big Ten title game, but it’s in an atmosphere Ohio State has been used to for three-straight home games to start the 2022 season.
Oct. 1 — Rutgers — Ohio State has a chance to push back its date on the road at Penn State and, instead, gets its fifth-straight home game against a team it has pounded as of late. Another depth test ahead of the Buckeyes’ first road game.
Oct. 8 — at Michigan State — Still a trip to East Lansing, but it’s after five home games. At this point, head coach Ryan Day and staff should have a good idea of what it’s working with, giving them the advantage in their first road test.
Oct. 15 — Off — Ohio State was able to flip its off week, matching it with the school’s Autumn Break. Could be huge as an extended break for the Buckeyes with no classes to go to at the end of the week heading into the off weekend.
Oct. 22 — Iowa — Ohio State returns home for a date with Iowa, what’s bound to be a slugfest prior to its second road game: a trip to Beaver Stadium.
Oct. 29 — at Penn State — If you are Ohio State, you would much rather have this game here than as the fifth game of the season. The Buckeyes will ideally know who they are at this point. While a lack of road tests could be a challenge heading into three road games in the final five games, this team will likely be established enough to compete.
Nov. 5 — at Northwestern — A road game, a comedown game after a likely emotional game against Penn State. This could be one to watch, but it has to feel good for the Buckeyes this one’s not the road game against Maryland or the home game against Iowa or Wisconsin.
Nov. 12 — Indiana — The Michigan countdown continues with hosting Indiana before the big one.
Nov. 19 — at Maryland — This was a game that gave Ohio State a lot of trouble in 2018, playing at Maryland before a date with the Wolverines. I don’t think the Buckeyes will let the same thing happen again in College Park
Nov. 26 — Michigan — We all know what this one means.
So what is the one takeaway from this new schedule?
Ohio State could very well be undefeated going into the Michigan game.
Yes, it could have happened with the original schedule too, but the Notre Dame, Michigan State and Penn State games all coming before the off week was not something to scoff at, especially with both the Spartans and Nittany Lions on the road.
None of those games remain definites, but they are spread out in a way to allow the Buckeyes to work its way up to them, especially with the help of five home games to start 2022.
Also, hosting Wisconsin to start Big Ten play gives Ohio State enough of a test to begin conference play to see where its at, but in a much more winnable atmosphere at home than in East Lansing.
There could be a loss in here. But this is much more friendly for a an undefeated season from both Ohio State and Michigan — who’s schedule seems to be a cake walk in 2022 — in the final weekend of the regular season.
No. 1 vs. No. 2 anyone?
What’s on the Ohio State offensive line’s offseason checklist?
I asked you all on the board for some recommendations for what would be on Ohio State’s hypothetical checklist for the offseason heading into 2022, and I got some really good ideas.
I thought I would take it position by position over the next few weeks, seeing what has been done and what needs to be done for each position group on the team.
Let’s start with the offensive line. There’s more, but I’ll give you three:
This may be simple, but with all the changes going on, a list seems necessary
Head coach Ryan Day
Offense
Let’s talk about Justin Ahrens
Justin Ahrens’ shot isn’t back.
Really, it’s one that he hasn’t had since Dec. 8, hitting five 3-pointers on 10 attempts against Towson. Since that game, the senior forward and captain has seven 3-pointers — hitting multiple in one game against Indiana and Wisconsin — on his last 29 attempts.
Ohio State assistant coach Ryan Pedon said, heading into Sunday’s game against Penn State, that the shots are good and everything seems to be going right in terms of form. However, each shot seems to be hitting off the front rim.
That’s exactly what happened on his first 3-point attempt against the Nittany Lions: hitting the front rim with a thud, short again, just like it had been in the previous five games.
Ahrens has always been one dimensional. He has 315 3-point tries in his career compared to 27 shots inside the line. That in itself is an absurd stat. Defenders know this, kind of hovering around the 3-point line in the general vicinity of Ahrens to make sure he can’t shoot.
This season, he’s done a bit more than just be a sharpshooter. The senior forward currently has a career high in rebounds per game, bringing in seven against Penn State, while averaging just over an assist per game: something he has never done in his collegiate career. He also seems to be a much improved defender, especially in transition.
But it makes sense with the starter’s minutes he’s playing.
Ahrens needs to develop more than an offensive repertoire if he’s going to be a fit for this starting lineup, at least until he can find a consistent stroke again. Yes, he’s respected in his own locker room and across the Big Ten. But respect doesn’t do any good when shots aren’t falling.
Ohio State seems to miss Meechie Johnson Jr.
Meechie Johnson Jr. is incredibly important for Ohio State basketball.
The coaching staff views him as a dynamic playmaker that’s quick and impacts both ends of the floor. He also can create shots and, while erratic, can have big moments from 3.
That’s something Ohio State doesn’t have off its bench right now. Johnson is currently sidelined with a facial injury that he suffered in practice leading up to the Wisconsin game. He’s considered day-to-day, but will likely be out for a couple weeks, according to those close to the program.
Ohio State needs that quickness, that playmaking ability. It’s something redshirt senior guard Jamari Wheeler can do, but it hasn’t been consistent, doing most of his dirty work on the defensive end. Cedric Russell does it in spurts, but it’s not enough, especially with the lack of minutes he’s been playing. Jimmy Sotos is more of a traditional point guard, so there’s not that excitement factor in terms of his approach offensively.
Johnson provides that spark, a spark Ohio State desperately needs offensively right now, and just doesn’t have.
Here’s a couple more notes from Sunday’s Ohio State basketball game
Over the next few days, I have a couple of really cool stories coming out about Sonny Styles and his Pickerington Central basketball game. But this one didn’t make it in.
So I’m waiting around for Styles to come out of the locker room, something I was very used to when I used to be a high school writer in metro Detroit. Hicks was waiting there too, talking with Lorenzo Styles Sr. — Sonny’s father — and executive director for football relations and special assistant to the head coach Tim Hinton. All game, Hicks was sitting with Laverna Styles, Sonny’s mom, just talking and cheering.
I went inside the hallway to catch Styles before he got caught up with Hicks and the rest of his family for a quick interview. When we started to chat, Hicks comes up and stands right in front of him. The interview continues, but Styles’ eyes light up.
I talk to him for about five minutes or so, shake his hand and leave. I’m not even out the door and they are dapping each other up and hugging.
These two are close. They are like brothers. Both said they talk every single day about everything that’s going on.
Obviously, it’s cool to see just on a real-person level, but for Ohio State fans, that should be exciting. These two are extremely close. And they have BIG aspirations together.
Song of the Week
I spent my Sunday night at the movies.
I braved the weather to go see Paul Thomas Anderson’s new movie “Licorice Pizza,” a character-based drama/comedy based out of California in the 1970s.
It was a visually stunning movie but, as you know, I’m a music snob. There was a lot of tunes in it to like, from Paul McCartney and Wings to The Doors. Tom Waits was even in it as well as the entire band Haim.
But nothing sets the tone of the movie more than the song in the trailer: “Life on Mars” by David Bowie.
And I put the original version and not the Phish version from Deer Creek June 29, 2012.
See you on the board!
Like we do every week, grab a cup of coffee and let's talk about what's going on in the world of Ohio State football and men's basketball.
It didn’t take long for Al Washington.
Al Washington was a highly coveted commodity at this point last season.
The Ohio State linebackers coach was targeted to be Tennessee’s next defensive coordinator, but chose to stay in Columbus for another season with the Buckeyes.
In 2021, that didn’t really go as planned for Washington, from the size of the room getting smaller and smaller either because of the transfer portal or because of injuries, to the lack of success the room had at points in terms of run fits and in pass coverage.
A change needed to be made, and those changes were made last week, with Washington and defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs sitting on the outside looking in of a complete retransformation of the Ohio State coaching staff with the hiring of Perry Eliano and Tim Walton to join defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Jim Knowles and defensive line coach Larry Johnson: the only remaining member of the 2021 defensive coaching staff.
The changes started Thursday. By Sunday, Washington already had another job.
The former Ohio State linebackers coach is now Notre Dame’s defensive run-game coordinator and defensive line coach, joining first-year head coach and former Ohio State linebacker Marcus Freeman’s staff.
With less than three days on the market, Washington proved to still be a hot commodity.
Why?
He was an incredible recruiter for Ohio State, playing an integral role in recruiting CJ Hicks, Sonny Styles and Gabe Powers, turning the momentum of the room and starting the process of rebuilding the linebackers room into one with a lot of young pieces with high potential. He’s a very good communicator and has developed relationships incredibly well, leading to some of the highest-profile recruits coming to Ohio State in 2022.
His track record is also pretty substantial. At Michigan, he developed players like Devin Bush, Josh Uche and Khaleke Hudson, all former All-Big Ten award winners. At Ohio State, he developed Pete Werner, Malik Harrison, Baron Browning and Tuf Borland — each of which are currently on an NFL roster.
And he’s a young coach, a former player, making him someone incredibly relatable to the players in his room.
It’s why Ohio State wanted him in the first place.
Washington’s dismissal wasn’t because he wasn’t talented. It was just that there needed to be a change of voice in the room, one that came from the top: Knowles.
That’s where the change is going to come for Ohio State’s defense. Washington left Ohio State with a room of potential, whether it’s Hicks, Powers, DeaMonte Trayanum, Cade Stover, Steele Chambers, Cody Simon, Tommy Eichenberg and, possibly, Styles. Washington’s move signifies that it's time for Knowles to start the process of refining the talent already acquired.
It will be interesting to see where the two parties are at Sept. 3 when Washington is in blue and gold, standing on the away sideline at Ohio Stadium.
Speaking of Sept. 3…
Ohio State’s 2022 football schedule changed a lot last week.
Each of the Buckeyes’ non-conference games remain the same next year, but their conference schedule is not completely shifted.
How will it change the outcome of the season? Really, it can only help.
Let’s walk through it.
Sept. 3 — Notre Dame — Marcus Freeman will come to Columbus with something to prove. But it’s a team that will still be in transition with an entirely new coaching staff and culture in South Bend.
Sept. 10 — Arkansas State — A non-conference home blowout here, one of two straight, along with Toledo. This should be an early-season depth test, seeing how far down the depth chart the Buckeyes could go as Big Ten play approaches.
Sept. 17 — Toledo — See Week 2 against Arkansas
Sept 24 — Wisconsin — Instead of opening Big Ten play on the road at Michigan State, Ohio State gets the chance to host Wisconsin. Yes, it could be a preview of the Big Ten title game, but it’s in an atmosphere Ohio State has been used to for three-straight home games to start the 2022 season.
Oct. 1 — Rutgers — Ohio State has a chance to push back its date on the road at Penn State and, instead, gets its fifth-straight home game against a team it has pounded as of late. Another depth test ahead of the Buckeyes’ first road game.
Oct. 8 — at Michigan State — Still a trip to East Lansing, but it’s after five home games. At this point, head coach Ryan Day and staff should have a good idea of what it’s working with, giving them the advantage in their first road test.
Oct. 15 — Off — Ohio State was able to flip its off week, matching it with the school’s Autumn Break. Could be huge as an extended break for the Buckeyes with no classes to go to at the end of the week heading into the off weekend.
Oct. 22 — Iowa — Ohio State returns home for a date with Iowa, what’s bound to be a slugfest prior to its second road game: a trip to Beaver Stadium.
Oct. 29 — at Penn State — If you are Ohio State, you would much rather have this game here than as the fifth game of the season. The Buckeyes will ideally know who they are at this point. While a lack of road tests could be a challenge heading into three road games in the final five games, this team will likely be established enough to compete.
Nov. 5 — at Northwestern — A road game, a comedown game after a likely emotional game against Penn State. This could be one to watch, but it has to feel good for the Buckeyes this one’s not the road game against Maryland or the home game against Iowa or Wisconsin.
Nov. 12 — Indiana — The Michigan countdown continues with hosting Indiana before the big one.
Nov. 19 — at Maryland — This was a game that gave Ohio State a lot of trouble in 2018, playing at Maryland before a date with the Wolverines. I don’t think the Buckeyes will let the same thing happen again in College Park
Nov. 26 — Michigan — We all know what this one means.
So what is the one takeaway from this new schedule?
Ohio State could very well be undefeated going into the Michigan game.
Yes, it could have happened with the original schedule too, but the Notre Dame, Michigan State and Penn State games all coming before the off week was not something to scoff at, especially with both the Spartans and Nittany Lions on the road.
None of those games remain definites, but they are spread out in a way to allow the Buckeyes to work its way up to them, especially with the help of five home games to start 2022.
Also, hosting Wisconsin to start Big Ten play gives Ohio State enough of a test to begin conference play to see where its at, but in a much more winnable atmosphere at home than in East Lansing.
There could be a loss in here. But this is much more friendly for a an undefeated season from both Ohio State and Michigan — who’s schedule seems to be a cake walk in 2022 — in the final weekend of the regular season.
No. 1 vs. No. 2 anyone?
What’s on the Ohio State offensive line’s offseason checklist?
I asked you all on the board for some recommendations for what would be on Ohio State’s hypothetical checklist for the offseason heading into 2022, and I got some really good ideas.
I thought I would take it position by position over the next few weeks, seeing what has been done and what needs to be done for each position group on the team.
Let’s start with the offensive line. There’s more, but I’ll give you three:
- Get a new face of the room: Done — Ohio State has hired Justin Frye to lead the offensive line. He’s known as a run-game guru, changing the perception of UCLA’s run game over the course of his tenure there, developing a level of physicality without those top-tier recruits that Ohio State has.. That’s what head coach Ryan Day wants, along with furthering the protection of quarterback C.J. Stroud and thriving in recruiting.
- Move Paris Johnson Jr. back to tackle: Work in progress — This process has likely already started with Thayer Munford and Nicholas Petit-Frere off to the next level. 2022 is the first year where the Buckeyes will see Johnson at his natural position, the one that made him a five-star talent.
- Find another guard to work alongside Matthew Jones: Work in progress — Jones was a utility man for Ohio State at both guard spots, and will likely fill one of them come fall. Ohio State will have a choice to make with the other one, whether it’s Harry Miller, if healthy, or Donovan Jackson: the 2021 five-star. As time rolls along, it seems like Jackson would be the frontrunner here, especially if the Buckeyes want Miller to be Luke Wypler’s backup at center. Miller can fill in Jones’ shoes from this year.
This may be simple, but with all the changes going on, a list seems necessary
Head coach Ryan Day
Offense
- Offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Kevin Wilson
- Pass game coordinator/wide receivers coach Brian Hartline
- Associate head coach for the offense/offensive line coach Justin Frye
- Assistant head coach for offense/running backs coach Tony Alford
- Quarterbacks coach Corey Dennis
- Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Jim Knowles
- Associate head coach/defensive line coach Larry Johnson
- Secondary coach/cornerbacks coach Tim Walton
- Safeties coach Perry Eliano
Let’s talk about Justin Ahrens
Justin Ahrens’ shot isn’t back.
Really, it’s one that he hasn’t had since Dec. 8, hitting five 3-pointers on 10 attempts against Towson. Since that game, the senior forward and captain has seven 3-pointers — hitting multiple in one game against Indiana and Wisconsin — on his last 29 attempts.
Ohio State assistant coach Ryan Pedon said, heading into Sunday’s game against Penn State, that the shots are good and everything seems to be going right in terms of form. However, each shot seems to be hitting off the front rim.
That’s exactly what happened on his first 3-point attempt against the Nittany Lions: hitting the front rim with a thud, short again, just like it had been in the previous five games.
Ahrens has always been one dimensional. He has 315 3-point tries in his career compared to 27 shots inside the line. That in itself is an absurd stat. Defenders know this, kind of hovering around the 3-point line in the general vicinity of Ahrens to make sure he can’t shoot.
This season, he’s done a bit more than just be a sharpshooter. The senior forward currently has a career high in rebounds per game, bringing in seven against Penn State, while averaging just over an assist per game: something he has never done in his collegiate career. He also seems to be a much improved defender, especially in transition.
But it makes sense with the starter’s minutes he’s playing.
Ahrens needs to develop more than an offensive repertoire if he’s going to be a fit for this starting lineup, at least until he can find a consistent stroke again. Yes, he’s respected in his own locker room and across the Big Ten. But respect doesn’t do any good when shots aren’t falling.
Ohio State seems to miss Meechie Johnson Jr.
Meechie Johnson Jr. is incredibly important for Ohio State basketball.
The coaching staff views him as a dynamic playmaker that’s quick and impacts both ends of the floor. He also can create shots and, while erratic, can have big moments from 3.
That’s something Ohio State doesn’t have off its bench right now. Johnson is currently sidelined with a facial injury that he suffered in practice leading up to the Wisconsin game. He’s considered day-to-day, but will likely be out for a couple weeks, according to those close to the program.
Ohio State needs that quickness, that playmaking ability. It’s something redshirt senior guard Jamari Wheeler can do, but it hasn’t been consistent, doing most of his dirty work on the defensive end. Cedric Russell does it in spurts, but it’s not enough, especially with the lack of minutes he’s been playing. Jimmy Sotos is more of a traditional point guard, so there’s not that excitement factor in terms of his approach offensively.
Johnson provides that spark, a spark Ohio State desperately needs offensively right now, and just doesn’t have.
Here’s a couple more notes from Sunday’s Ohio State basketball game
- Ohio State’s lack of success from the free-throw line, hitting 24 of 36 attempts against Penn State, is going to hurt the team dramatically at some point this season.
- Zed Key is a ferocious rebounder when called upon, especially on the offensive glass.
- Ohio State only turned the ball over nine times against Penn State. Chris Holtmann said that it's because Penn State doesn’t “turn you over much,” but that’s progress.
- Leader in plus/minus against Penn State? Jamari Wheeler at plus-11. Next closest? E.J. Liddell, Cedric Russell and Kyle Young at plus-4.
- IUPUI is a good break for Ohio State. It will be interesting to see if the Buckeyes use it as an opportunity to show their depth. Newest scholarship member Harrison Hookfin anyone?
Over the next few days, I have a couple of really cool stories coming out about Sonny Styles and his Pickerington Central basketball game. But this one didn’t make it in.
So I’m waiting around for Styles to come out of the locker room, something I was very used to when I used to be a high school writer in metro Detroit. Hicks was waiting there too, talking with Lorenzo Styles Sr. — Sonny’s father — and executive director for football relations and special assistant to the head coach Tim Hinton. All game, Hicks was sitting with Laverna Styles, Sonny’s mom, just talking and cheering.
I went inside the hallway to catch Styles before he got caught up with Hicks and the rest of his family for a quick interview. When we started to chat, Hicks comes up and stands right in front of him. The interview continues, but Styles’ eyes light up.
I talk to him for about five minutes or so, shake his hand and leave. I’m not even out the door and they are dapping each other up and hugging.
These two are close. They are like brothers. Both said they talk every single day about everything that’s going on.
Obviously, it’s cool to see just on a real-person level, but for Ohio State fans, that should be exciting. These two are extremely close. And they have BIG aspirations together.
Song of the Week
I spent my Sunday night at the movies.
I braved the weather to go see Paul Thomas Anderson’s new movie “Licorice Pizza,” a character-based drama/comedy based out of California in the 1970s.
It was a visually stunning movie but, as you know, I’m a music snob. There was a lot of tunes in it to like, from Paul McCartney and Wings to The Doors. Tom Waits was even in it as well as the entire band Haim.
But nothing sets the tone of the movie more than the song in the trailer: “Life on Mars” by David Bowie.
And I put the original version and not the Phish version from Deer Creek June 29, 2012.
See you on the board!
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