![Ohio State Buckeyes assistant coach Ryan Day talks to quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) before an NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers on August 31, 2017 in Bloomington, India. Ohio State won 49–21. [Adam Cairns/Dispatch]](https://nationworldnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ohio-State-Football-mourns-former-QBs-death.JPG "Ohio State Football mourns former QB's death")
Ryan Day didn’t mention the 50 touchdowns on Monday that Dwayne Haskins threw in that magical 2018 season.
Nor did the Ohio State coach pay attention to the other 27 Buckeye Records Haskins set. Those were the numbers, and Haskins’ legacy on and off the field cannot be defined by numbers alone.
Two days after Haskins died at age 24 in Florida, Day and everyone at the Ohio state program were still trying to process the tragedy. The Buckeyes resumed spring practice in deep sorrow.
“Certainly, it was a very difficult weekend for all of us,” Day said. “We had a meeting with the team today. We talked about a lot of things. We have a good group of players who played with Dwayne and they are hurting.”
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Coach Ryan Day on the tragic loss of Dwayne Haskins: ‘It’s hard to wrap your mind around like this’
Day offered his condolences to the Haskins family, including his parents and sister, Tamia, with whom Dwayne was particularly close.
“It’s hard to wrap your mind around like this,” Day said, “especially when it happened so tragically to a young man, especially someone who had such a big heart.”
This is the side of Haskins that Day emphasized. He repeatedly mentioned Haskins’ smile. Day said Haskins was like a big brother to his son, RJ, and would take him to high school football and basketball games.
“He meant a lot to my family, meant a lot to this program, and he’s about to be missed,” Day said.
‘That smile was contagious’: Dwayne Haskins ‘uplifted others’ at Ohio State, says Ryan Day
Day was appointed as Ohio State’s quarterback coach and co-offensive coordinator after the 2016 season. Haskins was a redshirt freshman competing with Joe Burroughs to become JT Barrett’s backup and eventual successor.
At the same time, Day saw how talented a passerby Haskins was, how the ball exploded with a flick of the wrist. But his personality was also special.
“You just saw someone you enjoyed being around,” Day said. “Our people really enjoyed being around him. He uplifted others. His smile was infectious.
“And he had an old soul about him. Sometimes when you’re talking with him, you feel like you’re talking to some 45- or 50-year-old man, the way he normally does.” Roop came close to life. He was a man of faith and really had a lot of honesty and values about him.”
![Ohio State Buckeyes Assistant Coach Ryan Day Talks To Quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) Before An Ncaa Football Game Against The Indiana Hoosiers On August 31, 2017 In Bloomington, India. Ohio State Won 49–21. [Adam Cairns/Dispatch]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2022/04/11/NCOD/d1ac693a-02fc-4008-8158-1c902b97988d-sp_osu_coaches_ac_04.JPG?width=300&height=394&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp "Ohio State Football Mourns Former Qb'S Death")
Haskins’ breakthrough came at the 2017 Michigan game when he replaced the injured Barrett and propelled Ohio State to a comeback victory in Ann Arbor. It was the prelude to the 2018 season, which began with Day serving as acting coach for three games after Urban Mayor was suspended for the Zach Smith saga.
Day handled that difficult situation well, and Haskins’ brilliance led Ohio State to a Big Ten title and a 13-1 record. When Meyer decided to retire, Day was tabbed to take over.
If not for Haskins’ success, would Day have been hired? If not for Haskins’ success, would Ohio State’s program be a quarterback magnet attracting Justin Fields and CJ Stroud?
“Probably not,” said Day. “Some people are meant to spend time together, and God has a plan for all of us. We end up on the same path together. I don’t think any of us will be here, and the program will be where it is without Dwayne and the way it all happened.
![Ohio State Buckies Quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7), Joe Burrow (10), Tate Martell (18), And Jt Barrett (16) Listen As Quarterback Coach Ryan Day, Second From Left, Attends Football Spring Practice On Tuesday, March 28 Give Instructions During 2017 At The Woody Hayes Athletic Center In Columbus, Ohio. [Joshua A. Bickel/Dispatch]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2022/04/11/NCOD/633b7588-a71a-445e-9c4c-3ea24768c861-sp_osufb_0329_JB_16.JPG?width=660&height=442&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp "Ohio State Football Mourns Former Qb'S Death")
Former Buckeye Dwayne Haskins played for the Washington Steelers in the NFL
Haskins turned pro after the 2018 season. When Washington took him with the 15th overall pick, he became the first Ohio State quarterback taken in the first round of the NFL Draft since 1982.
Haskins’ professional career did not go as expected. He was working with the Pittsburgh Steelers to revive it.
“I think he realized it was a great opportunity for him and made some changes,” Day said. “Anytime you play a year of college football, actually, and then go into that league, it’s a challenge, and it was going to be a journey. It takes time, especially in that situation.”
Day said he had a conversation with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who believed Haskins could realize his potential.
“Coach Tomlin was incredible,” Day said. “He and I came here together and had some conversations, and he really wanted to help Dwayne. He felt like he saw those special traits in Dwayne, and really put in that. It’s so much about that organization. Says something and what they tried to do for him.”
Ohio State to honor Dwayne Haskins with tribute during spring games
A tribute to Haskins is being planned for Saturday’s spring game. Day, a longtime supporter of mental health care, said support would be provided to those in the OSU program.
“The biggest thing is to lean on each other,” Day said. “When you’re part of a family, that’s what you do. That’s all you can do. There’s nothing you can do to make it better at this time.”
Day said he appreciates the support the program has received nationally, including those of OSU’s opponents and opponents.
“It’s been incredible and I think that says a lot about who he is. He left a legacy even when he was 24. I think it says a lot about who he is as a person.” Who was Roop. People’s support showed what a special person he was.”
