Ohio State head coach Ryan Day speaks with media at B1G Media Day. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Lantern File photo
When Ryan Day took the head coaching position at Ohio State in January 2019, college football looked a lot different.
Among the biggest challenges, Day has led the program through a last-minute loss to then-No. 3 Clemson in 2019, a pandemic nearly postponing the entire fall football schedule in 2020 and a first-time starting quarterback last season.
On Morning Juice on 97.1 The Fan May 25, Day said he’s embraced the demands of being head coach, and each year has tested him and the Buckeyes’ program.
“I think I’ve come to the realization that every year there’s going to be big-time challenges, and that’s just part of the job. I totally embrace that right off the bat,” Day said. “There’s a lot that comes with certainly being a head coach in college football, but certainly at Ohio State.”
The Ohio State athletic department announced May 18 that Day is in line for a two-year contract extension, keeping him as head coach through the 2028 season. The extension comes on the heels of the first season in which the Buckeyes didn’t compete in the College Football Playoff under Day but played in their eighth-consecutive New Year’s Six bowl game Jan. 1.
Day said he and his family cherish Columbus and Ohio State after earning his recent extension.
“Well, first off, there’s just so many people to thank when something like this happens. This is obviously a wonderful place,” Day said. “Like I’ve said before, I want to be here as long as I possibly can. Our family loves Columbus. We’re just very blessed and thankful for so many that have made something like this possible.”
After three seasons, Day has amassed a 31-4 record, including a 23-1 mark in Big Ten play, and guided Ohio State to the CFP National Championship Game during the 2020 season.
While the Buckeyes have had success on the field, Day has also led them through the evolving landscape of college athletics, which has changed some of the fundamentals of college football. This includes the NCAA relaxing restrictions to qualify for conference championship games May 18. This could pave the way for the Big Ten and other conferences to reformat their title contests, like the Pac-12 moving to the two highest winning percentages.
Day said the Big Ten is a “strong” conference with the right mindset as conversations are held regarding changes, and he believes athletic director Gene Smith will help both Ohio State and the conference remain well positioned.
“I know we’re looking hard at the conference realignment in terms of the divisions or no divisions, which is interesting in a lot of ways when you play out the last few years what that would’ve looked like if it had played out that way,” Day said. “I know Gene is right in the middle of those types of conversations. A lot of it is ‘what does the next five to 10 years look like?’”
Day said uncertainty surrounding name, image and likeness is currently the biggest challenge for him, noting “there’s a lot of risk” and hard feelings as a result of current legislation and enforced rules.
However, Day said the Buckeyes’ program is finding balance amid the variable NIL environment. He said the educational programs and resources help Ohio State in addition to its name recognition.
“I think when you look at our brand and the Ohio State University and what that brings to the table — it means a lot,” Day said.
The Buckeyes will begin their fourth season under Day Sept. 3 in a highly anticipated matchup with Notre Dame, which went 11-2 and appeared in the Fiesta Bowl last season.
With an overhauled defensive coaching staff and just the seventh all-time matchup between the Buckeyes and Fighting Irish, Day said there’s no shortage of storylines ahead of the season opener. But he said there’s still time to prepare during the preseason, and Day said he wants Ohio State ready to play its best come kickoff.
“At Ohio State, we have to win every game. You can’t all of a sudden put so much into one and then lay an egg the next week,” Day said. “But that being said, we’re talking about a top-10 matchup, night game at home, going to be an unbelievable atmosphere, a lot of emotion. We’re going to be all over this.”
