|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Scott Clemmons added to this discussion on March 29, 2025
|
It's interesting to read the idea of a wrestler doesn't feel they can improve while at OSU. (At least that is the suggestion here by some). Let's look at Mendez and Bartlett.
Both came out of HS #1 at 138. Bartlett at Sem, and Mendez out of Crown Point. Did either of these guys improve since HS? Certainly. Bartlett never won a national title. Mendez has two and a chance for three.
So, is it safe to say Mendez has improved more at OSU than Bartlett in the vaunted wrestling room at PSU? It would seem that is the case. I'm not debating whose room is better. Just that one can certainly improve in the OSU room.
I subscribe to the theory that nothing is ever as bad as it seems, nor is it ever as good. Losing Rocco is painful as it leaves huge gap with limited time or potential to fill it for next year. And because as fans, we cheer for our team and the players on it. To lose a player in this fashion is a double whammy.
Will we ever truly know why he left? I doubt it. We can surmise, but at the end of the day, Coach Ryan made a decision, maybe collaboratively with Welsh and his family. And it didn't work out. I am trusting of a coach that has mostly made a lot of correct decisions over his time at OSU. The past does not give anyone a free pass over time though. If we start to see a continuance of things along these lines, then certainly, it's time to have that discussion.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Alex Creech added to this discussion on March 29, 2025
|
That's a great post Scott.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Brian Mathews added to this discussion on March 29, 2025
|
|
Quote from Michael Rodriguez's post:
|
|
"Brian…The reason i harp on the money is because I feel like it’s used as an excuse by Buckeye fans. We didn’t get this guy or that guy because they overpaid for him. It’s not a fair system and that’s why tOSU can’t compete. I think Ohio State playing the victim in this scenario is a little disingenuous.
But it certainly is not my intent to annoy anyone (maybe Nick, just a little). I’ll try to vary my topic contributions moving forward."
|
It's no big deal, I just think I've read you make the point too many times.
In the same way that some OSU fans overstate the role that money plays in some of these decisions, I think you understate it. Both sides equally wrong.
It is not wrong, however, to be asking questions about the coach when performance isn't up to par. When questionable lineup decisions are made, when key team members leave for your (former) rivals, when the team underperforms, or top recruits are missed.
To me, it comes down to this. Tom Ryan is the greatest coach in the history of the program. By every single metric--dual record, Big 10 finishes, All Americans, NCAA finishes. It's not particularly close. His legacy is already cemented.
His future is going to be decided by how he responds to this period here. I think he's more than earned the opportunity to do that. So for me, as of now, his seat is just warming.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on March 30, 2025
|
Did Rocco Welsh take a bundle of cash to stay and then leave for another bundle of cash? I don't know. Is that something Coach Ryan could have prevented if he'd started him all season? No way to answer. Did coach prevent him from being in the lineup in deference to Kharchla? Again, I don't know. Does Rocco Welsh have the ability to leave if he thinks it's best for his development? Sure.
Has Tom Ryan made some significant mistakes? Quite possibly. If he hadn't, would he be in a position to challenge PSU, Oklahoma State and Iowa? No. Should he step down/get fired? I don't see why. Any replacement would have to bring with him an NIL patron ready to spend hundreds of thousands a season (I'm guessing) in order to possibly do a better job.
There have been seas of change in college wrestling and the handful of programs with huge NIL resouces can now purchase almost any wrestler they want. It's awful but I don't blame the wrestlers for cashing in. Meanwhile, my big concern is all the programs outside the top 30 who might decide it's not worth their while to fund a wrestling program that is constantly at risk of losing any significant talent to a program that can lure it away.
D1 wrestling has been in a precarious position for awhile Now, it's worse. Let's hope the entire MAC, SoCon and other lesser funded programs don't just drop the sport.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Brady Hiatt added to this discussion on March 30, 2025
|
|
Quote from Hank Kornblut's post:
|
|
"D1 wrestling has been in a precarious position for awhile Now, it's worse. Let's hope the entire MAC, SoCon and other lesser funded programs don't just drop the sport."
|
Hope it (wrestling) doesn't go the way of men's gymnastics.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on March 30, 2025
|
Brady: I agree.
I wonder if it's possible for the bottom 30 or so D1 programs to drop to D2 for wrestling? That would be a better experience for them. And the big monied D1 programs don't deserve to feel good about beating those kids.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Ben Golden added to this discussion on March 30, 2025
|
What happened to Men's Gymnastics?
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Mark Niemann added to this discussion on March 30, 2025
|
|
Quote from Ben Golden's post:
|
|
"What happened to Men's Gymnastics?"
|
There are like 12-15 programs nationally.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on March 30, 2025
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Mark Niemann added to this discussion on March 30, 2025
|
Nigel Tufnel was National Champion on the pommel horse.
He scored an 11.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Roe Fox added to this discussion on April 1, 2025
|
I was in DC last week for my children’s Spring Break. This thread got personal quickly about Tom Ryan.
My (late) thoughts.
Generally, TR can sell ice to eskimos. If he had the money I think he would use it, if not to get, at least to keep guys. TOSU right now doesn’t seem to want to NIL as much as others (at least on wrestling). Without the funds, how is he supposed to keep up?
Maybe someone has heard they have more money but I have not.
I believe Rocco is making a mistake unless he got a boatload of money. I also think his offense is limited.
Several months ago I questioned whether these guys were getting life changing money. Some of them certainly are now (not specifically commenting about Rocco but guys like Blaze). This has gone 0 to 60 in the blink of an eye.
The more Iowa spends, the more it looks like wrestling has passed the Brands’ by. I see very little improvement in most of the top notch guys for whom they overspend. They may, however, have bought an NC at 125. The new “Iowa style,” I suppose.
It will be morbidly fascinating to see who even tries to keep up financially with PSU, OSU and Iowa.
Like some others, I worry about the future of D1 college wrestling.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Tom Ryan
Freddy Carr added to this discussion on April 1, 2025
|
A couple few cents from my perspective:
As a fan of OSU sports, this reminds me of the Thad Matta arc. Thad took the program to heights not seen in 40+ years and maintained that level for a good stretch. Won a bunch of B1G titles and earned a couple of Final Four berths.
Unfortunately, over time the product slowly faded and after several years without any notable postseason success (despite occasional individuals that were nationally relevant), he was fired. IMO even if he’d been retained, I think the glory days were solidly in the rear-view. Matta just didn’t have it anymore (I blame his health)
Post-Matta, the program has been mired in less-than-mediocrity and apathy has set into the fanbase. .
With Ryan, we had a similar arc where the program ascended to new heights for a sustained period, and now has steadily waned. There isn’t mediocrity on a national level, but I don’t see the program competing for a team title or even runner-up any time soon. It’s a new reality. I also don’t think the Tom Ryan “glory days” will return. I anticipate a borderline too 5-10 program going forward. Just IMO.
He’s earned the right to leave on how own terms in my opinion. But my expectations have been adjusted. And replacing doesn’t necessarily mean the glory days will return. I will admit that I would like to see some new blood on the staff. Things seem too inbred and stale.
Now, if we could get David Taylor or a name like Kyle Dake or something…that may change my mind.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
