I get it.
The Peach Bowl was a devastating loss. Losing the last two games of any season is devastating. Losing by 20+ plus points to your rival two years in a row is devastating. Losing by 1 point to the #1 team in the country is devastating.
However, if your only measurement is National Championship or bust, you have been devastated over 47 years over the last 50.
Ryan Day is 43 years old and considered one of the Top 5 coaches in the country by a few different resources. Here is one.
https://www.si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq/ncaa-football-rankings/colle...
His head coaching record does not include a natty. His record in other years - 3-0 ( I know but it counts), 13-1, 7-1, 11-2, 11-2. (45-6 overall)
By comparison, a few other good coaches.
Nick Saban - 20 years of assistant coaching experience (in college and pros). Head coaching experience 1 year at Toledo, 5 years at Sparty Wins his first Natty at LSU in 2003 at the age of 52. Other years as head coach 9-2 (UT), 6-5-1, 6-6, 7-5, 6-6, 9-2 (all at Sparty),8-4,10-3,8-5 and 9-3 at LSU.
Urban Meyer - 14 years of assistant coaching experience, 4 years of head coaching experience at BG and Utah. Goes to Florida and wins a natty in 2006 at age 43. Repeats in 2008. In between 9-3, 9-3, 13-1 (bowl win over UC), 7-5.
Kirby Smart - 15 years assisting coaching experience (pro and college),6 years of head coaching experience. Wins his first natty in 2021 at age 46. Favored to repeat in 2022. In between, 8-5, 11-3, 12-2, 8-2.
Would you rather have Danny Ford, Ed Orgeron or Larry Coker or anyone else on this list?
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1766962-10-worst-coaches-to-win-nati...
There is an axiom about Running Towards your goals and not Running Away from your fears. So who are you running towards to replace Coach Day? Remember when Matt Campbell was the coach of the month, or Jim Leonhard coach in waiting. Maybe you want Dino Babers, Josh Heupel, Lane Kiffin, Willie Fritz ??
It may be just me but I think Coach is learning as he goes. Much like any new CEO, he is counting on his strengths in his new role. He came from a sales/marketing background (that is offensive) and selected a operations/admin guy (defensive) from a recommendation made by his mentor/boss. That didn't work out, so like a good CEO - slow to hire, quick to fire - he replaces his defensive coach with a more experienced coordinator. He is balancing promoting from within (OC Hartline/Frye??) and getting expertise from the outside (on defense). It sounds like he is also considering giving up play calling, which is a sign of more growth (delegation) as a leader.
May be I'm in the minority but I'll play the cards I've been dealt and am pleased with Coach Day and the direction the program is headed. Granted there are turbulent waters ahead with the transfer portal, NIL, continuing upgrading of Big Ten Coaching staffs and USC/UCLA around the corner. I've been told sometimes, its about the journey not the destination.
Go Bucks!
(And No I am not related to Coach Day in any fashion)
