A well-known figure in Buckeye Nation, Maurice Clarett, has entered the ongoing controversy involving Ohio State head coach Ryan Day.
Clarett, who is renowned for having helped the Buckeyes win a national championship in 2002, has previously expressed his annoyance with Day, especially following a string of defeats to Michigan. However, Clarett has shocked many by shifting his position after Ohio State’s close 13-10 loss to their rivals this season.
The legacy of Clarett at Ohio State is widely recognized. He dominated the field as a freshman in 2002, rushing for 1,237 yards and scoring 18 touchdowns. He was instrumental in the Buckeyes’ historic victory over Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.
Even though his off-field career took a turbulent turn, he has since turned into a motivational speaker who supports personal development and mental health. Clarett has never held back from expressing his unvarnished thoughts about his beloved Buckeyes, and he didn’t hold back last year either, despite his metamorphosis.
He wrote on social media following Ohio State’s third straight defeat to Michigan, “Ryan Day I have to go, but I love you, buddy. You get paid millions for this. You can’t get nine million dollars and lose three in a row.
Clarett’s tone has changed this year. After spending more time with the squad, he acknowledged in a recent social media post that his perspective had changed.
“I’m not on the Ryan Day fire train.” Last year, I used to troll because it was the rage, but now that I’ve spent time with the staff and children, I vehemently disagree. In the last 30 days, the man destroyed two of the top five teams, and I heard no one speak out.
He continued by criticizing the unequal amount of attention Day receives following defeats versus the praise he receives for significant victories, citing wins against Indiana and Penn State as instances of underappreciated accomplishments.
Clarett also defended Day from criticism following the recent Michigan game, claiming that the team’s defeat was due to player errors rather than coaching errors.
Within the ten, we had two interceptions. Two missed field goals, a failed stop on a third down that prolonged their drive, and one where we placed them in scoring position in addition to going in for a score… There are many points to make, but RD wasn’t at fault, he clarified.
Although Ryan Day’s 66-10 record is impressive by any measure, his tenure has been clouded by his failure to defeat Michigan in four straight games. Even though losing to Michigan is disheartening and many Ohio State supporters are eager for a change, the Buckeyes still have a chance to have a successful season if they can make an impression in the tournament.
The Buckeyes will be in the College Football Playoff when the field is determined next week, but Ohio State will not be participating in the Big Ten title game.
