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Paul Finebaum Shares Stunning Reality Behind Ohio State Football Coach Ryan Day’s Resurgence, Loss to Michigan

In the world of college football, the landscape is constantly shifting, and one of the most fascinating stories over the last few seasons has been the career trajectory of Ohio State head coach Ryan Day. Paul Finebaum, one of the sport’s most respected analysts, has weighed in on Day’s resurgence with the Buckeyes and the challenges he faced, particularly the painful loss to Michigan.

Day’s tenure at Ohio State has been anything but predictable. From taking over the program after Urban Meyer’s departure to leading one of the most successful teams in college football, the expectations on Day have been sky-high from the start. Finebaum’s insights reveal a lot about what has shaped Ryan Day as a coach, the pressures of coaching at a top-tier program like Ohio State, and the harsh realities of the rivalry with Michigan.

The Rise of Ryan Day: A Resilient Coach

When Ryan Day took over the Ohio State program in 2019, the Buckeyes were coming off a successful era under Urban Meyer. Meyer had turned Ohio State into a national powerhouse, winning a national championship and consistently competing for top spots in the College Football Playoff. The bar was set incredibly high for Day, and many doubted if he could fill the shoes of a coach who had built a dynasty in Columbus.

However, Day quickly proved his worth. In his first season, he led Ohio State to a 13-1 record, with an explosive offense led by quarterback Justin Fields. Day’s ability to adapt to the changing landscape of college football, blending modern offensive schemes with traditional power football, was one of the defining features of his early success. The Buckeyes were explosive, averaging over 40 points per game and running roughshod over most of their opponents.

But as Finebaum notes, the success wasn’t without its challenges. “Ryan Day inherited a program with massive expectations,” Finebaum explained. “Urban Meyer’s legacy looms large. Every game, every decision, every move is analyzed through that lens. But Day, to his credit, embraced the pressure and used it to fuel his rise.”

Day’s offense, particularly his ability to develop quarterbacks, has been one of the cornerstones of his success. Justin Fields, who had transferred from Georgia, became a Heisman Trophy candidate under Day’s tutelage. Fields’ dynamic playmaking ability, combined with Day’s offensive brilliance, made Ohio State a national title contender in each of Day’s first three seasons.

The Pressure Builds: Losses to Michigan

Despite Day’s impressive early success, the defining moment of his tenure as head coach at Ohio State has undoubtedly been his losses to Michigan. The Michigan rivalry is one of the most heated and storied rivalries in college football, and the Buckeyes have dominated the series for nearly two decades. When Day took over, Ohio State had won 15 straight games against Michigan, an incredible streak that spanned over a decade. But in 2021, Day’s undefeated streak against the Wolverines came to an end.

The loss to Michigan in 2021 was especially painful for Buckeyes fans. Not only did it end the streak, but it also cost Ohio State a spot in the Big Ten Championship and the College Football Playoff. For the first time in Ryan Day’s tenure, the Buckeyes were on the outside looking in when it came to the national championship picture. The loss exposed some glaring weaknesses in Ohio State’s defense, which had been a point of concern throughout the season. Michigan, led by head coach Jim Harbaugh, dominated the line of scrimmage and controlled the game from start to finish.

Finebaum noted that this loss was a turning point in Day’s career. “When you lose to Michigan, it’s not just about one game,” he said. “It’s about everything—the expectations, the pressure, the legacy of the program. And for Ryan Day, this was a reality check. Michigan had been building something under Harbaugh, and that loss was a stark reminder that in college football, you can’t take anything for granted.”

The loss to Michigan wasn’t just a blow to Ohio State’s national title hopes; it also sparked a broader conversation about Day’s ability to win in big moments. For some, the defeat raised questions about his ability to lead in the biggest games, especially when facing a program like Michigan that had struggled for years to find consistent success.

Ryan Day’s Resurgence

However, Ryan Day wasn’t one to dwell on the past. After the tough loss to Michigan, Day and the Ohio State program went to work, addressing their weaknesses and reloading for the future. The following year, Ohio State responded with a vengeance.

In 2022, Day led Ohio State to a remarkable season, finishing with an 11-1 record and earning a spot in the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes’ offense, once again, was one of the most potent in the country, and Day’s leadership was crucial in the team’s resurgence. Ohio State’s defense, which had been a point of contention in previous years, showed marked improvement, thanks in large part to changes in the coaching staff and a renewed emphasis on fundamentals.

Finebaum, reflecting on Day’s ability to bounce back, commented, “What impressed me about Ryan Day was his resilience. After that crushing loss to Michigan, he didn’t flinch. He made the necessary adjustments and got his team back on track. That’s the mark of a great coach—the ability to learn from failure and use it as fuel for success.”

Indeed, Day’s resilience paid off in 2022. Ohio State’s offense was led by Heisman finalist C.J. Stroud, who became one of the best quarterbacks in college football. The defense, though still a work in progress, was improved enough to keep Ohio State competitive in every game. The Buckeyes’ loss to Michigan in 2021 could have shattered their confidence, but instead, it seemed to drive them to become a more complete team.

The Bigger Picture: The Reality of Coaching at Ohio State

While Day’s resurgence is impressive, it’s important to understand the larger context of coaching at Ohio State. The Buckeyes are one of the premier programs in college football, and the expectations placed on their head coach are immense. The pressure to win, to dominate, and to compete for national championships is constant, and failure to meet those expectations is met with swift criticism.

Finebaum highlighted this aspect of Day’s job, noting, “At Ohio State, it’s not just about winning; it’s about winning at a certain level. You have to beat Michigan, you have to win the Big Ten, and you have to compete for a national title every single year. It’s a high-wire act, and Day has had to walk that line perfectly.”

The reality of coaching at a program like Ohio State means that every loss, especially to a rival like Michigan, feels amplified. Day’s ability to bounce back after adversity speaks volumes about his character and coaching acumen. But Finebaum also pointed out that the clock is always ticking for a coach at Ohio State. “Ryan Day knows the stakes. He knows that at Ohio State, you can’t afford too many missteps. But he’s built for this. He has the tools, the talent, and the temperament to succeed.”