Ryan Day Should Head to the NFL After the College Football Playoff and Leave the Toxic Ohio State Fan Base

When Ryan Day was hired as the head coach of Ohio State football in 2018, the expectations were sky-high. After all, he was succeeding Urban Meyer, one of the most successful and decorated coaches in college football history. Meyer had built a powerhouse, and Day was entrusted with continuing that legacy. Day, with his offensive acumen and poised leadership, certainly met those expectations in the early part of his tenure. However, the challenges he’s faced—both on the field and from a segment of the Ohio State fan base—have become increasingly difficult to navigate. It is becoming clearer that after the 2024 College Football Playoff, Ryan Day should consider making the jump to the NFL and leave the increasingly toxic atmosphere created by a vocal group of Ohio State fans behind.

The Pressure of the Ohio State Job

Ohio State is one of the premier programs in college football. The expectations are enormous, and the scrutiny is unrelenting. Ryan Day inherited a program that had been built into a perennial powerhouse under Urban Meyer, and he was expected to keep it at that level. While Day has done an admirable job maintaining the program’s stature, the stakes for every season are incredibly high.

In four years, Day has compiled an impressive 45-6 record, winning three Big Ten titles, and making the College Football Playoff three times. Despite these accomplishments, however, Day has faced unyielding pressure to win national championships. Ohio State fans are notorious for their high expectations, and Day’s inability to secure a national title—particularly after coming so close in 2020, when the Buckeyes lost to Alabama in the championship game—has created a toxic environment. The 2021 and 2022 seasons, where the Buckeyes lost to rival Michigan in back-to-back years, have only added fuel to the fire.

Ohio State’s fan base, by and large, is a passionate group that demands excellence. They are proud of the program’s rich history and success. However, with that passion comes an intense level of criticism. Any misstep, any loss, particularly to Michigan, can lead to an outpouring of frustration. Ryan Day, despite his successes, has found himself under fire from fans who feel that he’s not measuring up to their high standards. This is especially difficult when those criticisms come from fans who may not fully appreciate the complexity and challenges of coaching at a top-tier program.

The Toxic Fan Base

While the overwhelming majority of Ohio State fans are passionate, knowledgeable, and supportive, there exists a vocal and toxic segment of the fan base that has made Ryan Day’s job increasingly difficult. In recent years, the criticisms have become more personal, more venomous, and more relentless. The fact that Ohio State has been one of the top programs in the nation under Day’s watch hasn’t been enough to quell this criticism. Some fans see any failure to win the national title as a glaring indication of Day’s inadequacy as a head coach, and they express this view in hostile, aggressive ways.

The relentless negativity from this faction of Ohio State fans is a problem that has only grown worse with each passing season. Every time the Buckeyes fall short of their ultimate goal, the pressure mounts, and the calls for Day to be replaced grow louder. This toxic environment can have a detrimental effect on a coach’s mental health, job satisfaction, and long-term future. Day has shown a great deal of professionalism and resilience, but at some point, every coach has to ask themselves: Is this kind of stress and pressure worth it?

Ohio State fans may not always realize it, but the constant barrage of criticism and vitriol directed at Day has a chilling effect on the program. It fosters an atmosphere of negativity and impatience that doesn’t allow for growth or development. The fan base needs to recognize that success in college football is often defined by more than just national championships. A program’s stability, player development, and ability to compete at a high level consistently should also be valued. But for some, those successes are eclipsed by the singular goal of winning it all, no matter the cost.

The NFL Could Be a Welcome Escape

For Ryan Day, leaving the Ohio State job behind and making the move to the NFL could offer a welcome escape from this toxic environment. In the NFL, the expectations are high, but they are often more focused on long-term success and building a competitive team rather than the day-to-day scrutiny that comes with coaching at a college powerhouse. Day’s offensive expertise, particularly his ability to develop quarterbacks, would be highly valued at the professional level.

The NFL has seen a growing trend of college coaches transitioning to the pros in recent years. While some have struggled, others have found great success, demonstrating that the skill sets required to succeed in college football—like leadership, team-building, and strategy—can translate well to the NFL. Day has shown that he can develop elite quarterbacks, as evidenced by his work with Justin Fields, Dwayne Haskins, and CJ Stroud. These quarterbacks have gone on to have successful careers, and Day’s ability to work with top-tier talent in college would be an asset in the NFL.

Additionally, coaching in the NFL would give Day a fresh start, free from the constraints of Ohio State’s fan base. In the NFL, success is often measured by overall team performance and progression. The constant pressure to win national titles in college football would be replaced with a more balanced and professional atmosphere, where player development, roster management, and long-term success are paramount.

The Opportunity for Growth and Development

Another aspect of moving to the NFL that could be appealing to Day is the opportunity for personal and professional growth. The NFL presents a different set of challenges than college football. In the pros, coaches are working with grown men who are already at the peak of their physical abilities, which requires a different kind of leadership and motivation. Day, with his proven ability to lead young men through the rigors of college football, would likely find success in adapting his approach to the professional game.

Furthermore, coaching in the NFL would allow Day to focus on aspects of coaching that he may not have had the chance to fully explore at Ohio State. While Day has been lauded for his offensive prowess, there is still room for growth in other areas, such as game management, player development, and organizational leadership. The NFL offers a different level of strategic depth, and Day could benefit from the opportunity to expand his coaching horizons.

The Right Time to Make the Move

After the 2024 College Football Playoff, Ryan Day may find that it’s the right time to make a move. His tenure at Ohio State has been marked by a series of highs and lows, and it’s clear that his time in the college football spotlight has taken a toll. While Day remains a talented and highly respected coach, the increasing pressure and hostility from the fan base may no longer be worth the mental and emotional strain.

If Day were to leave Ohio State for the NFL, he would be departing a program in a position of strength. The Buckeyes remain one of the top programs in college football, and Day’s successor would inherit a talented roster and a program with enormous potential. Moving on after achieving so much would allow Day to leave on his own terms, rather than as a result of toxic fan criticism or external pressure.