Ryan Day and the Ohio State Job: Why He Should Stay
In the wake of Ohio State’s continued dominance and high expectations, CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd recently suggested that Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day might consider stepping down from his post. While I can understand where Dodd is coming from, I vehemently disagree with the notion that Day should leave voluntarily—especially after such a successful season. Ohio State is one of the premier jobs in college football, and Ryan Day should stay at the helm of the Buckeyes for the foreseeable future. His current position is as enviable as they come in the world of football.
Ohio State: The Best Job in College Football
Ohio State isn’t just another prestigious college football program. It is arguably the best job in college football. Period. Dodd’s argument that Day should step down seems utterly misguided, as he fails to recognize just how rare a position like this is. Ohio State boasts a rich football tradition, with multiple national championships and a consistent ability to recruit the top talent from across the nation.
First and foremost, Ohio State is located in the heart of talent-rich Ohio, a state that produces an incredible amount of high school football talent each year. With its proximity to major recruiting hotspots like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and even parts of the South, Ohio State has access to some of the best young athletes in the country. In addition, the Buckeyes have unparalleled resources, including a massive NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) war chest that enables them to compete with anyone in the country.
The university also offers the luxury of academic rigor without the same barriers as schools like Stanford, Northwestern, or Notre Dame. Ohio State is part of the prestigious Big Ten, with a massive fan base and a football culture that is as rich as any in the country. All of these factors combine to make Ohio State a dream job for any coach, and Ryan Day is in a position where very few, if any, jobs could offer the same level of opportunity.
Why Leaving Ohio State Would Be Career Suicide
The idea of Ryan Day voluntarily stepping down from Ohio State and taking an NFL job, or worse, becoming an offensive coordinator again, is nothing short of career suicide. For a head coach of Day’s caliber to leave a top-tier program like Ohio State after another successful season would be a mistake of epic proportions.
Day’s current position at Ohio State puts him in the rarefied air of college football. His team is a perennial contender for the College Football Playoff, and his recruiting is second to none. He has led Ohio State to multiple Big Ten titles, made deep playoff runs, and developed numerous players who have gone on to NFL stardom. Why would anyone in their right mind walk away from such a situation to take a step backward in their career?
Sure, Day has some NFL experience, having worked under Chip Kelly with the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers. But let’s be real: NFL head coaching gigs are fraught with volatility. No matter how much talent a coach has, it’s the NFL—where job security is always a gamble. Leaving a program like Ohio State, which consistently competes for national championships, for a more unstable NFL situation would be a massive risk for a coach in Day’s position.
The Ohio State Fanbase: High Expectations, but Unrealistic Criticism
The Ohio State fanbase, as passionate and dedicated as they come, has a tendency to become frustrated when things don’t go perfectly. This is especially true when it comes to Michigan, the Buckeyes’ biggest rival. It’s understandable—beating Michigan is a priority, and the fact that Day has yet to defeat the Wolverines since taking over is undoubtedly a sore spot for many fans.
However, the constant clamoring for Day’s resignation is overblown and unrealistic. Ohio State is one of the top programs in the country year in and year out, and while beating Michigan is a major goal, it is by no means the only measure of success. Day has led the Buckeyes to multiple Big Ten titles, a national championship appearance, and consistent playoff contention. The fact that Michigan has gotten the better of Ohio State in recent seasons does not diminish Day’s accomplishments. The pressure he faces is immense, but it’s also part of the reason why coaching at Ohio State is such an attractive job.
Ohio State is consistently among the best teams in the country, and any fan or pundit who criticizes Day for not winning every game, particularly against a tough Michigan team, is overlooking the bigger picture. In the grand scheme of things, a program like Ohio State has far more to be proud of than to focus on a single rivalry game, no matter how heated it is.
The Potential for Day to Stay and Succeed
It’s important to note that Day has not only met the expectations at Ohio State, but he’s often exceeded them. After taking over a program left by Urban Meyer, Day stepped into a massive pair of shoes. Meyer had established Ohio State as a dominant force, and Day was tasked with maintaining that success. He did not just maintain it—he elevated it, securing a spot in the College Football Playoff and proving he could win at the highest level.
Day has recruited elite talent to Ohio State, consistently putting together top-five classes and keeping the program competitive on a national scale. He’s also developed NFL-caliber players, from quarterbacks like Justin Fields to wide receivers like Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. There’s no denying that Day has the skill set and the pedigree to continue making Ohio State a powerhouse for years to come.
The notion that Day should leave Ohio State for the NFL or any other job feels completely misplaced. The Buckeyes are a national contender year in and year out, and they have a strong pipeline of talent. The pressure to beat Michigan is heavy, but it should not overshadow what Day has accomplished and what he is capable of in the future. Ohio State is, without question, a job that most coaches would dream of, and leaving it behind for anything else would be a mistake.
Conclusion: Ryan Day Should Stay at Ohio State
In short, Ryan Day should not step down from Ohio State. The job he has is one of the best in college football, and he is in a position to continue building on Ohio State’s legacy of excellence. Yes, expectations are high, but that is part of what makes Ohio State such a prestigious and rewarding program to coach. The idea of stepping away from this opportunity is not just misguided—it’s career suicide. Ohio State is a program that can and will continue to compete for national championships under Day’s leadership. Let’s stop pretending that leaving this job for another position in the NFL would be anything but a huge step backward for Day’s career. Ohio State is where he belongs, and he should stay there until his eventual retirement or the day that his tenure at the school is no longer desired.
