### $6M Distraction Blamed As Ryan Day Handed Tough Truth on CFP Failure
**By Grok News Staff**
January 6, 2026
COLUMBUS, Ohio — As the dust settles on Ohio State’s stunning 24-14 loss to Miami in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl, head coach Ryan Day is facing renewed scrutiny over the Buckeyes’ inability to repeat as national champions. A prominent national analyst has delivered a blunt assessment, pinning part of the blame on a mid-season “$6 million distraction” involving the departure of offensive coordinator Brian Hartline.
The Buckeyes entered the 2025 season as defending champions, riding high after a dominant 12-0 regular season that included a long-awaited victory over archrival Michigan. Expectations were sky-high for a repeat title run, with Ohio State securing the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the expanded 12-team playoff. But back-to-back losses — first a shocking 13-10 defeat to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship, then the New Year’s Eve upset by No. 10 Miami — ended those dreams abruptly.
In the aftermath, analyst Josh Pate on his popular show didn’t mince words. He highlighted two key factors for the collapse: the extended layoff after the bye (which saw teams with byes go 0-5 in early playoff games) and, more pointedly, the “Brian Hartline stuff.”
Hartline, who had served as Ohio State’s wide receivers coach and later offensive coordinator, accepted the head coaching job at South Florida (USF) on December 3 — right in the thick of playoff preparation week. The move reportedly came with a lucrative contract in the $6 million range over several years, a significant payday for the former Buckeye great turned coaching prodigy.
“And number two, the Brian Hartline stuff had to detrimentally impact them,” Pate said. “Hartline taking the USF job — that’s like in the middle of that week, if I remember correctly. The distraction of that, and the emotional impact… Hartline’s influence on the offense, player development, and recruiting is unparalleled.”
The timing couldn’t have been worse. With Hartline’s departure looming, Day took over play-calling duties himself — a role he hadn’t held full-time since 2023. The offense sputtered early against Miami, going scoreless in the first half for the first time in years. Quarterback Julian Sayin threw a costly pick-six, and the Buckeyes never recovered, trailing 14-0 at halftime despite a stronger second-half effort.
Day, ever accountable, shouldered much of the blame postgame. “At the end of the day, we didn’t get it done, and that starts with me,” he told reporters. “I take responsibility for not getting the guys ready to play. We spent an enormous amount of time putting the plan together… but we put ourselves behind the eight ball.”
Critics argue the Hartline saga created an unavoidable ripple effect. As one of Ohio State’s most beloved figures — a former star receiver who developed elite talents and spearheaded top recruiting classes — his exit hit hard emotionally. Players and staff had to navigate the uncertainty while preparing for the biggest games of the season. Ohio State quickly hired Cortez Hankton from LSU as the new wide receivers coach, but the offensive coordinator search continues into the offseason.
This isn’t the first time Day has faced “big-game” questions. Despite an impressive overall record and last year’s national title, the Buckeyes’ failure to capitalize on a loaded roster has reignited debates about his handling of high-stakes moments. The loss to Indiana exposed vulnerabilities in close games, and the Miami defeat amplified concerns about preparation and adjustments.
Yet, Day’s supporters point to the broader context: repeating as champions is brutally difficult in the NIL and transfer portal era. Ohio State dominated much of the season, boasting one of the nation’s top offenses (averaging 33.4 points per game) under Hartline’s influence. Returning stars like Sayin — poised for a potential Heisman run in 2026 — and standout receiver Jeremiah Smith give reason for optimism.
As the transfer portal opens and roster changes loom (several players have already signaled intent to leave), Day must rebuild momentum. Athletic director Ross Bjork has reaffirmed support, emphasizing revenue growth and NIL investments exceeding $35 million for the football program.
Pate’s “tough truth” resonates in Columbus: distractions, no matter how lucrative or well-deserved for Hartline, can derail even the most talented teams. For Ryan Day and the Buckeyes, the offseason focus will be clear — eliminate the noise, reload, and chase that elusive repeat in 2026.
The sting of this CFP failure will linger, but in a program where national titles are the expectation, redemption starts now.
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