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Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Nick Lecklider added to this discussion on March 28, 2025
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This board seems very split up on keeping Tom around or not. This deserves its own thread
The damage that has been caused is not repairable under this staff. Nationally we are becoming a joke at developing and it’s hurting us recruiting. Iowa and Penn state boards think it’s comical. The number one recruiting class ever tied for fifth place at ncaas( only bc steveson lost) with only one all American from that class, after being at the program for three years. Top overall recruit paddy 0-2, top 5 recruit kharchla 0-2, top 15 recruit Rotogotzke 0-2, Feldman got noticeably worst. Cannon got the best draw possible and didn’t place. So development is becoming a concern and people are taking notice.
Tom Ryan inability to adapt. Has got zero transfer portal guys while every other major program has got handfuls. If you can’t keep up with the times then it’s time to go. On top of that you lose one of your best kids to a team that doesn’t even need him. Rocco’s decesion was not financial. Why would Penn state offer a huge amount of money to Welsh? Ryder may be just as good as him. Rocco doesn’t bonus anyone and his best win is Ed Ruth who he is 1-2 against. Why in any world would Penn state unload a stack of cash for him? Mcennelly is the guy you go after if anyone. I don’t see him losing again honestly.
Tom is also getting a reputation as a crybaby. Every time something goes wrong or against them he immediately picks up the phone and gets the quickest interview to Flo. Transfer portal, nil, bad calls in matches, what originally happened with Rocco welsh. He has done interviews on all these things complaining about them. No other coach does that. Then he screamed at the Rutgers kid that he was a coward when he was clearly injured and defaulted out. Don’t get me started on how bad his brick throwing in matches has gotten either. Tom is becoming almost unhinged and a loose cannon.
Well if Tom leaves how do you know we can get a better coach? Easy answer it is one of the best paying jobs in all of wrestling. Number four exactly. The top three jobs aren’t opening up anytime soon. A job like this only comes around once every 10 years. Snyder, Burroughs, Dake, Lee. If any of these guys ever wanted to get into coaching this would be the biggest payday they could get for the foreseeable future. While a guy like Schwab has done great I think you need a youth movement to really attract the recruits like David Taylor did. Not to mention Ohio state has a world class facility.
So we have two choices put new life and energy into this program soon or let it slowly fizzle into a team that won’t be in the top 10 anymore. While our days of winning national titles are over with Ohio state can still be much more competitive with the right leadership.
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Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Mark Niemann added to this discussion on March 28, 2025
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I stand with this staff.
Good people, knowledgable AF, leaders of men, and have finished top ~7 more than not since 2007. (Someone feel free to fact check that because I’d like to that actual average finish but really don’t want to take the time to look it up.) Probably a dozen other things that can be said too.
My support for the staff is unfazed. Any criticism I might have I would discuss with them face-to-face in a conversation, but even then - I really don’t write their paycheck, they don’t answer to me, and would much rather see them succeed than posture negatively towards them.
Go Buckeyes.
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Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Jared Ball added to this discussion on March 28, 2025
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There is nothing wrong with criticism or having high expectations. I’d imagine Tom would be the first to acknowledge that. I’m fact, it’s a testament to a good program. While I will admit that some of what Nick articulated are certainly criticisms that I or others have thrown out I do believe Marks perspective is the more rational non reactive perspective.
The program has had a mixed bag of positive and negative news this year. Anytime performance falls short of expectations it can be frustrating. Recruiting news, performance short comings, and now off season transfers paint the state of the program in a negative light. A program that just had another top five finish as Nieman pointed out, with a national champ. Six schools had champs, and OSU is one of them. One thing no one can argue is that this program is where it is because of Tom Ryan. He will get to leave when he wants to leave not when any of us call for his resignation, and I’m not in that camp. How many people wanted Ryan Day fired after the Michigan game? One thing I believe is that this staff is intelligent, reflective, and will course correct where needed. The program absolutely could use some more positive news. Start by donating to the RTC, sign up for the golf outing, renew those season tickets.
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Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
John Flanigan added to this discussion on March 28, 2025
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Quote from Mark Niemann's post:
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"I stand with this staff.
Good people, knowledgable AF, leaders of men, and have finished top ~7 more than not since 2007. (Someone feel free to fact check that because I’d like to that actual average finish but really don’t want to take the time to look it up.) Probably a dozen other things that can be said too.
My support for the staff is unfazed. Any criticism I might have I would discuss with them face-to-face in a conversation, but even then - I really don’t write their paycheck, they don’t answer to me, and would much rather see them succeed than posture negatively towards them.
Go Buckeyes."
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11 top 7 finishes with an average placing of 9th. Two outlier seasons (45th and 29th) or the average finish would be 5th.
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Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Alex Creech added to this discussion on March 28, 2025
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Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Michael Rodriguez added to this discussion on March 28, 2025
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I’m not a fan of Ohio State or Coach Ryan, but I’m struggling to understand the criticism in this particular instance. All I’ve read on this forum is how four schools (Penn State, Iowa, Oklahoma State and Michigan) all have a significant financial advantage over tOSU in this new NIL era. I’ve pointed out that Ohio State has the largest athletic budget in the country and I’ve been told that NIL is different and Ohio State wrestling simply doesn’t have the kind of benefactor they need to be competitive with the above mentioned schools. If that’s the case, if it’s all about private billionaire funding to lure and keep top level talent. How is that Coach Ryan’s fault?
If you brought in a young Gold medalist as the new head coach, would he bring a billionaire with him? Because it sounds like that’s the issue.
I want to be clear, I don’t think that money is the reason tOSU isn’t competitive with Penn State and I don’t think it’s the reason wrestlers choose to go to Penn State. I don’t think it’s the reason Welsh left for Penn State. But I’m told that’s the reason. If it’s the reason, why replace the coach? Won’t you just have the same issue with the next guy?
Nick…I’m failing to understand you comparison to basketball. That sounds like the argument for Coach Ryan to stay?
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Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Mark Niemann added to this discussion on March 28, 2025
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Quote from John Flanigan's post:
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"11 top 7 finishes with an average placing of 9th. Two outlier seasons (45th and 29th) or the average finish would be 5th."
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Heyyyyyy!!! Thanks for the info! I committed to a one minute search to dig a little deeper after reading your post and found it on the OHST site - Archives. Quick & easy list.
In fairness to the numbers, that 45th place was Russ Hellickson’s last year. In retrospect, I should have stated Coach Ryan’s tenure rather than the last X amount of years. But it’s still great info.
A quick average for Tom Ryan (since the 2006-2007 season) is 6.5; so 7th place with the outlier of 29th coming 2010-2011. Note: I did not count 2020 as a year.) (Hellickson’s 16-year average was 17.9; so 18.) Very well then.
Go Buckeyes.
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Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
John Flanigan added to this discussion on March 28, 2025
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Quote from Mark Niemann's post:
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"
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Quote from John Flanigan's post:
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"11 top 7 finishes with an average placing of 9th. Two outlier seasons (45th and 29th) or the average finish would be 5th."
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Heyyyyyy!!! Thanks for the info! I committed to a one minute search to dig a little deeper after reading your post and found it on the OHST site - Archives. Quick & easy list.
In fairness to the numbers, that 45th place was Russ Hellickson’s last year. In retrospect, I should have stated Coach Ryan’s tenure rather than the last X amount of years. But it’s still great info.
A quick average for Tom Ryan (since the 2006-2007 season) is 6.5; so 7th place with the outlier of 29th coming 2010-2011. Note: I did not count 2020 as a year.) (Hellickson’s 16-year average was 17.9; so 18.) Very well then.
Go Buckeyes."
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Actually, wiki was wrong and had them finishing 45th in 2009-2010 season as well. I should have verified from another source, since they actually finished 8th.
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Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Bill Splete added to this discussion on March 28, 2025
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I would not have thought Tom, in any way, would be on the chopping block. Criticism and expectations are part of the position he holds. The win-or-die attitude has to stop. OSU is doing great; the talent is so tough, and the difference is razor-thin. Let's enjoy the battle; go in with a guy who fights for his kids, Sammy Sasso, Brendon Mcrone, Jesse Mendez, etc., who are absolute beasts on and off the mat. These good people came because they wanted to be coached by good people.
Let's remember we are living a dream through these folks. And I, for one, am happy with the team. I think Penn State has been unethical in recruiting, and Iowa has, too. Maybe not coaches, but the people throwing NIL around are reaching out to athletes, even our buckeyes, to get them away from us. fact
Criticize, demand success, and have high expectations, but the horses we have are tough as nails and good men; if they weren't, they probably would not be at OSU.
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Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Michael Rodriguez added to this discussion on March 28, 2025
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Is a private donor, who is not otherwise affiliated with the program, has a conversation with an athlete about entering the portal, is that against the rules?
That’s an honest question. I don’t know what the rules are in the NIL era?
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Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Nick Lecklider added to this discussion on March 28, 2025
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Mike no that is what is happening. Bob nichols is not affiliated with the Iowa program and is contacting guys who are not in the portal to join the team. The coaches can not do it but the boosters can. That is why more kids are jumping into portal. These boosters are promising money to jump ship.
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Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Alex Creech added to this discussion on March 28, 2025
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Quote from Nick Lecklider's post:
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"Mike no that is what is happening. Bob nichols is not affiliated with the Iowa program and is contacting guys who are not in the portal to join the team. The coaches can not do it but the boosters can. That is why more kids are jumping into portal. These boosters are promising money to jump ship."
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Sorta. From what I understand, the NCAA put rules in place to restrict contact with athletes by NIL collectives\boosters until they were enrolled. The NCAA was sued and an injunction was put in place that didn't allow the NCAA to enforce it.
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Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Michael Rodriguez added to this discussion on March 28, 2025
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So no one’s breaking any rules?
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Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Alex Creech added to this discussion on March 28, 2025
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Quote from Michael Rodriguez's post:
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"So no one’s breaking any rules?"
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yes they are, they just can't be punished.
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Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Brian Mathews added to this discussion on March 28, 2025
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I was thinking through the timeline of significant events that have gotten us where we are today. I'm not sure I have a great conclusion, but I think they are all relevant.
2018: Transfer portal established.
2019: Kyle Snyder, the greatest Buckeye in history, leaves the program. Notably, he leaves for their chief rival. Greg Kerkvliet follows him to Happy Valley.
2020/21: COVID. Two Buckeye greats miss their chance at a title. All others get an extra year of eligibility.
March 2021: Transfer eligibility restrictions removed for all athletes.
July 2021: NIL era begins in earnest.
2022: Wrestling NIL deals hit the six figure range.
2023: Wrestling NIL deals hit the half million range.
August 2023: Sammy Sasso shot in Columbus.
2024: Wrestling NIL deals eclipse one million annual.
April 2024: Tom Ryan involved in serious car accident.
May 2024: House vs. NCAA settlement announced.
December 2024: Rocco Welsh threatens to leave, flirts with other programs.
March 2025: Rocco Welsh leaves, presumably for PSU.
April 2025: House vs. NCAA settlement set for final approval.
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