This is coming from the perspective of a diehard Buckeye fan, who has been crushed by  frustrating losses during Ryan Day’s tenure. I have no formal education in psychology or sociology. Only my life experiences and analyzing most things that have led me to speculate on what I believe to be common themes with this program especially since 2021.

This is not intended to excuse or critique, but just me trying to rationalize behaviors and actions. 

I’ve heard and read that “What if” thoughts are the very definition of anxiety. Examples:
- What if I order that new food and don’t like it?
- What if that freshman speedster kick returner or running back fumbles?
- What if my Heisman finalist quarterback gets hurt scrambling for that first down? 

Control. Not allowing or trusting others to make the decisions. Being the primary play caller while being head coach. Knowing change may be difficult, so you hire the person you know and trust most in 2024 and then someone in 2025 where you have more control. Not making necessary player changes or substitutions, or game scheme changes due to the unknown.

Perfection. Fumbles and interceptions are not perfection. First and second year player mistakes are not perfection. Losses are not perfection. Running a wrong play is not perfection.

Stubbornness or unwillingness to change. Change can take one out of their comfort zone. Even if what is happening has a consensus it is not working, the resistance to change can rule out over logic.
 

Not everyone can be a successful head coach of a major college football program. It takes a certain type of person to be that and I think Ryan Day is. It could be ego, supreme confidence, belief, etc. and no coach is perfect. I’m glad he’s our head coach and I hope he is for a long time.

This may not be a unique or accurate perspective but just trying to make sense of some strategies and decisions since the loss to SCUM in 2021. Haven’t seen ERD in quite a while.

Go Buckeyes!!

PS What if I get grayed out? I’m taking that chance.