Ohio State coach Ryan Day dodges talking respect for Jim Harbaugh, Michigan staff
Ryan Day and Jim Harbaugh will never be confused for one another, but there are times when they sound the same.
Tuesday was one of those times. One day after Harbaugh dodged a question about his level of esteem for Day and the Ohio State staff, Day copied the Michigan coach’s strategy.
Asked directly if he respects Harbaugh and the Michigan staff, Day diverted to talking about the team and players.
“With everything going on and all the things out there, we have kind of stayed away from all the distractions, and our guys have done a good job of it,” Day said. “When you talk to our guys about what’s gone on this season … they’re focused on this game and their preparation, and we’re going to continue with that.”
Day did address the respect issue from a big-picture perspective.
“I was taught the way you respect a rivalry is to work it every day, whether it’s in the weight room, game planning, talking to you players, periods and practices during the spring and preseason,” he said. “We respect the rivalry and certainly excited to play here on Saturday.
That was more than Harbaugh had to say.
“It's all about our preparation for Ohio," Harbaugh told reporters Monday, responding to a question about his admiration for Day and his assistants. “The days, the minutes, the hours, everything leading up to this game, that’s where our focus is: preparing ourselves and planning. We're going to practice, then execute. Anything else is irrelevant when it comes to this big game week.”
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State coach Ryan Day opts to divert attention from respect issues
