Michigan took a 10-game winning streak and unbeaten record in the Big Ten to Ohio State in November. The Wolverines had a chance to lock up their first appearance in the conference championship game but were throttled 62-39 by the Buckeyes, who went on to win their second straight Big Ten title. Less than two months later, new Ohio State coach Ryan Day hired former Michigan assistant coaches Greg Mattison and Al Washington to his staff. Predictably, the moves didn’t go over well with Michigan fans and even players and assistant coach Chris Partridge voiced their displeasure. Leaving the Wolverines was one thing but going to the Buckeyes was difficult for some to stomach. The animosity over the rivalry, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said, was overblown. “They’re professionals,” Smith said Tuesday during the Big Ten athletic directors meetings in Rosemont, Ill. “I think people look at that and…
Continue Reading: Ohio State AD: Hiring Michigan football assistants was about finding ‘professionals,’ not rivalry
