Ohio State football coach Ryan Day tested positive for COVID-19 and won’t coach the No. 4 Buckeyes at Illinois on Saturday, the school announced Friday.
The school isn’t planning to fly to Champaign until Saturday morning as it waits on more test results, according to reports.
Defensive line coach Larry Johnson, who also is associate head coach, will run the squad in place of Day.
“Coach Ryan Day is one of the individuals who has tested positive,” the school said in a statement. “He is in isolation and will not travel to Illinois or coach the team. Assistant head coach/defensive line coach Larry Johnson will serve as interim head coach of the Buckeyes on Saturday.”
Day would reportedly need to isolate for 10 days and be symptom-free for at least 24 hours before he can return to his coaching duties.
One day earlier, there were reports that an unknown number of players in more than one position group have tested positive for COVID-19, leaving in doubt whether the Buckeyes (4-0) could play this weekend.
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith reiterated that the squad wants to play Saturday’s game against Illinois (2-3).
“I have spoken with coach Day, and he is doing well physically,” Smith said. “I feel terrible for (Day) and for the members of the program who have been diagnosed with a positive test.
“Coach Day and this team have been true leaders in handling things so well throughout this pandemic. Our team wants to play this game, and we’re going to do everything we can to help make this happen. All of the decisions on the welfare of our student-athletes and staff members will continue to be guided by our medical staff.”
Day, 41, is the latest head coach to test positive for COVID-19. Alabama coach Nick Saban also tested positive earlier this week and won’t coach the top-ranked Crimson Tide in Saturday’s Iron Bowl clash against Auburn.
