Ryan Day of Ohio State Gets a Huge Shot from a Notre Dame Legend: A Rivalry Reignited
In the world of college football, rivalries hold a significance that transcends the realm of mere competition. These historic matchups represent more than just a contest of physical prowess; they symbolize decades, sometimes centuries, of tradition, pride, and fierce loyalty. Among the many storied rivalries in college football, none can compare to the electric tension that exists between Ohio State University and the University of Notre Dame. Both programs are steeped in history, and their legacies are defined by great players, iconic moments, and legendary coaches.
One of the latest chapters in this long-standing rivalry has seen Ohio State’s head coach, Ryan Day, take the brunt of some sharp words from none other than a Notre Dame legend. This moment has sent ripples through the college football world, creating both intrigue and controversy. To understand the significance of the remarks, we must explore the context of the rivalry, the personal dynamics between Day and the Notre Dame legend, and how the implications of this verbal shot could impact both programs moving forward.
The Ohio State-Notre Dame Rivalry
Before diving into the specifics of Ryan Day’s run-in with the Notre Dame legend, it’s important to understand the background of the rivalry between Ohio State and Notre Dame. While not as frequently contested as some of the other major rivalries in college football, such as Ohio State and Michigan, or Notre Dame and USC, the Ohio State-Notre Dame matchup carries significant weight when it does happen.
Both programs are titans of college football. Ohio State, with its tradition of excellence in the Big Ten, has claimed multiple national championships, produced countless NFL draft picks, and maintained a dominant position in college football for decades. Notre Dame, meanwhile, is one of the most storied programs in the sport’s history, known for its legendary coaches like Knute Rockne and Lou Holtz, as well as a rich legacy of Heisman Trophy winners and national championships.
When the two teams meet on the field, it’s more than just a game. It’s a clash of traditions, of philosophies, and of cultures. The spectacle is magnified by the pride both fanbases take in their respective schools, with Ohio State fans proud of their consistent dominance and Notre Dame supporters carrying the weight of their rich history.
Over the years, Ohio State and Notre Dame have played each other intermittently, with the most recent encounter coming in 2023 during the Fiesta Bowl, which saw the Buckeyes narrowly defeat the Fighting Irish. This game reignited the passion of the rivalry, and, as always, brought attention to the way each program is run, coached, and perceived in the broader landscape of college football.
Ryan Day: Ohio State’s Modern-Day Architect
Ryan Day, who took over as Ohio State’s head coach in 2019, has quickly established himself as one of the premier coaching minds in college football. A former quarterback at the University of New Hampshire, Day’s rise to prominence in the coaching ranks began when he joined Urban Meyer’s staff at Ohio State in 2017 as the offensive coordinator. Under Day’s leadership, Ohio State’s offense became one of the most potent in the nation, highlighted by record-breaking performances and the development of future NFL stars.
When Urban Meyer retired after the 2018 season, Ryan Day was promoted to head coach. From that point on, he has continued the tradition of excellence at Ohio State, leading the team to multiple Big Ten championships and consistently being a contender for the College Football Playoff. His leadership has been marked by a strong focus on recruiting, player development, and maintaining the high offensive standards that Ohio State is known for.
Day’s tenure has been largely successful, but it hasn’t come without its challenges. Despite winning plenty of games, there’s a lingering narrative around his ability to win the biggest games, particularly in the College Football Playoff. While Day has done much to strengthen Ohio State’s position, there has been pressure for him to deliver a national championship, something that has eluded the Buckeyes since 2014.
This context of pressure, expectations, and ambition sets the stage for understanding the significance of the remarks made by the Notre Dame legend.
The Notre Dame Legend: A Shot Heard Around College Football
The Notre Dame legend in question is none other than Lou Holtz, the iconic former coach who led the Fighting Irish to a national championship in 1988 and is considered one of the greatest coaches in college football history. Holtz’s legacy at Notre Dame is secure, and his influence on the program is profound. Holtz’s career at Notre Dame is defined by his leadership, motivational skills, and ability to inspire players to exceed their limits.
In early 2025, Holtz made headlines when he took a direct shot at Ryan Day in an interview. The comments, which were initially made on a popular college football podcast, quickly gained attention across the sports world. Holtz criticized Day for what he perceived as an inability to win the big games, pointing specifically to Ohio State’s struggles in the College Football Playoff. The Notre Dame legend suggested that Day’s coaching style lacked the grit and determination that characterized the golden years of Notre Dame football under his leadership.
“Ryan Day has had the talent, but he hasn’t had the heart. I saw Ohio State lose to Michigan again, and that’s something they should never do,” Holtz said, referring to Ohio State’s loss to Michigan in 2024. “They’ve had great teams, but sometimes coaching isn’t just about X’s and O’s; it’s about instilling the right mindset in your players. I did it at Notre Dame, and I believe it’s something Ryan Day still needs to figure out.”
Holtz’s comments were a pointed critique of Day’s tenure, suggesting that while Ohio State had the talent to win, they lacked the emotional and mental fortitude needed to come through in the clutch moments. To Holtz, Ohio State’s recent failures on the national stage were indicative of a deeper issue, one that transcended talent and strategy.
The timing of Holtz’s comments couldn’t have been worse for Ryan Day. Coming off a highly anticipated season where expectations were through the roof, Ohio State’s loss to Michigan and their subsequent elimination from the College Football Playoff put Day and the program in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Holtz, with his legendary status and deep ties to Notre Dame, became the voice of critics who have been calling for a reckoning with Day’s approach.
The Fallout: Reaction from Ohio State and Notre Dame Fans
Naturally, the comments from Lou Holtz sparked a firestorm of reaction from both Ohio State and Notre Dame supporters. For Ohio State fans, the shots from Holtz were seen as an unwarranted attack from someone with no skin in the game anymore. Many Buckeye fans pointed out that Day had consistently delivered a competitive program and had won multiple Big Ten titles, which should be celebrated, not criticized.
“Holtz is living in the past,” one Ohio State fan remarked. “Day has done a great job at Ohio State. He’s taken this program to heights it hasn’t seen since the days of Urban Meyer. It’s ridiculous to expect perfection every year, and Holtz should know better.”
On the other side, Notre Dame fans rallied behind Holtz, using his words as ammunition to bolster their own sense of superiority in the rivalry. For many Notre Dame supporters, this was seen as a chance to pile on to Ohio State’s perceived underachievement, especially when it came to beating Michigan and succeeding on the national stage.
“Lou Holtz speaks the truth,” said one Notre Dame fan. “Ohio State’s program is all flash and no substance. They recruit well, but they don’t win the games that matter. Maybe Holtz is the one who can call out the things Day can’t.”
What This Means for Ryan Day and Ohio State
Holtz’s comments serve as more than just a critique of Ryan Day’s coaching ability—they also represent a larger narrative about expectations and the weight of tradition in college football. Ohio State, with its massive fanbase and high standards, is a program that is always expected to compete for national titles. Yet, in recent years, the Buckeyes have been plagued by shortcomings in the biggest moments, particularly when it comes to postseason play. Holtz’s words, whether fair or not, have given voice to the growing discontent among some who question whether Day is the right man to return Ohio State to its former glory.
For Ryan Day, this shot from Lou Holtz is a reminder of the enormous pressure that comes with being the head coach at a program like Ohio State. The expectations are sky-high, and anything less than perfection is met with scrutiny. However, Day has shown time and again that he is capable of bouncing back from adversity, and this latest chapter in his career will only serve as more motivation to prove his critics wrong.
