Ohio State will be without its head coach Saturday after he tested positive for COVID-19.
Ryan Day has the virus, the school announced, joining a long list of top college football coaches such as Nick Saban, Les Miles, Dan Mullen, Mike Norvell and Kevin Sumlin to test positive.
Buckeyes assistant head coach/defensive line coach Larry Johnson will serve as interim head coach against Illinois.
“I have spoken with Coach Day, and he is doing well physically,” Director of Athletics Gene Smith said. “I feel terrible for Coach 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.”
The Buckeyes, coming off their 42-35 win over Indiana, are all alone atop the Big Ten East. They are the heavy favorite to win the conference and return to the College Football Playoff for the second straight season.
Saban, who has mild symptoms, won’t be coaching against Auburn in the Iron Bowl on Saturday.
