Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at bwhite1@dispatch.com. Letters are lightly edited for clarity.
On Ohio State men’s basketball
To Brian: I was going to write a letter complaining about the state of the OSU men’s basketball program, but I refrained, knowing you’d be swimming in a tidal wave of such letters. So, I’ll just offer the following forward-leaning point: Your reply (last week) to said tidal wave noted that the month of July, when Ross Bjork takes over as the Buckeyes’ new AD, “is not the time to be looking for a coach.” My guess is that Mr. Bjork could probably throw a dart at a calendar of the months between July 1 and Nov. 1 − puncture any of those 123 days – and discover that it would be the perfect time to unleash a tsunami of cash to find a gem of a new hoops coach.
John Meyer, Worthington
To the editor: Gene Smith, you have one job to do before you leave: Fire Chris Holtmann now. He’s your responsibility (and your burden to bear). Pick the lowest ranking assistant as interim (farthest from the current actual coaching to avoid any tendency to continue it). His instructions are simple: Put Bonner, Key and Mahaffey in street clothes (call it a healthy scratch) and play the freshmen, trying to keep them all from running from this sinking (already sunken) ship. Put Devin Royal in the high post to shoot and pass (inside-out for 3’s and to cutters for layups). Put the ball in Bruce’s hands (and not “Turnover” Gayle’s). Tell Okpara and Parks to stay underneath and put the rest on the wings. Keep Battle and Hardman because you need shooters. Tell everyone else to look for their best portal deal. Then hire a real coach with a new set of real assistants and recruit, recruit, recruit.
Richard Smith
On the Schottenstein Center
To the editor: Considering the millions of dollars generated by the OSU athletic department, it would seem possible they could spare a few hundred dollars to repair the scoreboard at the Schott.
Phil Hall, Columbus
To Phil: You mean the part that continually gives more points to visiting men’s basketball teams than to the Buckeyes?
On Ohio State football
To the editor: I am starting to think there is a link between Ohio State football and the Republicans. Michigan has regularly trounced Ohio State yet Ohio State fans think they were cheated? Biden trounced Trump yet the Republicans think they were cheated? Is there a link? If so, not a good one!
Prof. Larry Schlatter, Gambier
On football
Dear Editor: The recent Dispatch article on “bad calls” in football was interesting. If anyone really looks closely at line play in college or professional football you can find linemen holding on about every play. It’s only the most obvious and egregious holding that gets occasionally called. In addition, linemen are coached to hold and try to hide the holding of opponents as much as possible. If all holding penalties were called, the games would grind to a halt. The NFL and NCAA know holding is ubiquitous in the game and allow it to happen. They also control the referees and how they call the game. So what to do? I don’t know the answer but don’t expect changes any time soon. I predict you will see holding in the next game you watch. Guaranteed.
Chet Ridenour Sr, Worthington
To Chet: Officiating at live speed is difficult. Holding calls become a problem only if the officials are penalizing one team for the same things the other is doing. Thus, if they’re not calling what you think is holding, then hold and quit complaining.
More from the Mailbox:
Reader calls for ‘no trash talk’ truce between Ohio State, Michigan football fans
Ohio State football fans aren’t going to let Michigan’s boasting go unanswered
Hail to the Victors! Michigan football fans have their say to Ohio State fans
Readers come to defense of former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord
Syracuse football fan thanks Ohio State’s Ryan Day for the gift of Kyle McCord
Will Ohio State football fans watch Kyle McCord become another Joe Burrow?
Some are supportive, but plenty of Ohio State football fans are angry at Ryan Day
Big Ten was unfair to Jim Harbaugh, and Dispatch coverage couldn’t be more biased