A long-tenured assistant coach, to take over as head coach of the running backs….

When spring practice got underway, Ohio State football’s bitter rival, Michigan, hired Tony Alford, a long-tenured assistant coach, to take over as head coach of the running backs. Now, head coach Ryan Day of the Buckeyes has responded.

Day said that he only found out about Alford’s departure from the team last week. He will be the team’s running back coach until a successor is found, a process he promises won’t be hurried. “We’re into the process of identifying replacements,” Day stated.

“We’ve already identified the group, and we’re going to be thorough with the process, which excites me. The good news, I believe, is that we are not forced to make a snap decision based on hiring, the portal, or any other such factors.”

He continued: “I didn’t know for sure until I was told, but now the focus is about trying to find the right person.” With the addition of former Ole Miss back Quinshon Judkins, who led the SEC in rushing the previous two seasons, and the retention of leading rusher TreVeyon Henderson, who ran for 926 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, Ohio State figures to have one of college football’s best running back tandems this season.

Day declared, “I think this is the best running back room in the nation right now. It’s an exciting job, and the applicant pool has been great.”