Who is running Ohio State's special teams? And is it working?

Ryan Day defined the coaches in charge of each unit. Which are getting it done and which aren't?

The Buckeyes beat Texas in the opener but battle tough field position all day. (Photo courtesy of Ohio State)

COLUMBUS — How does special teams work at Ohio State this season?

It starts with a meeting every Tuesday at 7 AM. It’s all hands on deck, almost.

The only members of the team who aren’t required to be there are the offensive and defensive linemen, the quarterbacks and the coordinators.

Ryan Day is there. So is everyone else.

The meeting is led by Rob Keys, who holds the title of special teams coordinator. But he’s not in charge of every individual unit. That’s the way it’s been since the Buckeyes parted ways with their full-time special teams coach, Parker Fleming, after the 2023 season.

Fleming filled one of the 10 full-time assistant roles on the staff. Back then, only full-time assistants were technically permitted to coach at practice. The NCAA changed that rule in the summer of 2024. Now anyone on the staff can coach during practice. The difference for the 10 full-time assistants is that they are they permitted to recruit off-campus, while other staffers are not. Ohio State filled that spot previously occupied by Fleming with linebackers coach James Laurinaitis — great recruiting trade.

But when the Buckeyes divvy up the special teams coaching duties during practice, there are options beyond the 10 full-time assistants. And they are used.

“Each (unit) is coached up by somebody individually,” Day said.

That was the case last year as well. But some of the duties changed this season. So yeah, on Tuesday I asked the coach of the No. 1 team in the country to name the staffers in charge of every aspect of special teams.

Why? Because in games with fewer possessions and fewer plays, Day has spoken about how situational football matters more. That includes special teams. The Buckeyes had just six full possessions against Washington on Saturday. They lost a seventh when Brandon Inniss fumbled a punt. That’s 14 percent of their offensive opportunities gone. Poof. On special teams.

“Every play matters more and more,” Day said. “So special teams has to be an advantage for us. We put a lot of work into it. We have a lot of buy-in in the program from the coaches and the players.”

That starts at the top with a head coach who didn’t hesitate to outline the responsibilities for all six special teams units. Here’s who runs each group, and how it’s going so far this season.