Ohio State coach Ryan Day has undergone a significant transformation in recent months. Just a few months ago, Day was facing intense scrutiny, but now, he’s one of only three active coaches to have won a national championship. With his job now secure, his once hot seat has cooled considerably.
Despite the relief, Day remains focused and cautious about the future. When asked about the reduced pressure, he quickly responded, “Yeah, try losing the first game and see how that goes at Ohio State. We’ll see about that.”
Day’s perspective has shifted significantly, largely due to his team’s success in the College Football Playoff. After leading Ohio State to four consecutive playoff victories, Day is no longer just a coach under pressure but a leader with a clear path ahead.
“The challenge now is to repeat our success,” Day said. “We have a great group returning, but we also had 145 players on the roster this year, with a mix of newcomers, freshmen, and transfers. What I’ve emphasized to them is that this time should be used to understand what success looks like and how to achieve it.”
Ryan Day’s leadership has been key in guiding a roster filled with talent, much of it coming from a mix of expensive recruits and transfers. But now, with a clearer direction, the Buckeyes have a roadmap to follow.
Day shared how his team’s captains were involved in integrating new players, noting that their focus was on maintaining unity. “This team has been together for a while, and adding 25-30 new players can be a challenge,” Day explained. “The captains said they wanted the new guys around because they wanted to pass on the brotherhood and ensure the program’s future leadership.”
As Day highlighted, the pressure remains, despite the success. The goal is simple: Win or face criticism.
Looking ahead, Day is focused on what it will take for the Buckeyes to repeat their championship success. “We’ll get back to work and figure that out,” Day said. “Spring practice may not look the same due to the number of games these players have played, but we still need to get the younger players up to speed and integrate them into the program before we ramp things back up for the season.”
The road ahead may not be easy, but for Ryan Day and Ohio State, the focus remains on repeating success and continuing to grow the program.
