Ohio State’s Ryan Day Completes Long, Painful Climb to College Football Mountaintop

In the world of college football, few stories resonate like that of Ryan Day. The head coach of Ohio State has had a long and arduous journey to the top of the sport, one filled with setbacks, perseverance, and moments of brilliance. Day’s rise to prominence has been a testament to hard work, resilience, and the unrelenting pursuit of success.

Early Beginnings: A Family Foundation in Football

Ryan Day’s connection to football began early. Born in 1979 in Manchester, Connecticut, he grew up in a family with deep ties to the game. His father, Ray Day, was a high school coach, and Ryan’s formative years were spent around the game, which became a natural part of his life. While not the most gifted player on the field, Ryan Day was always driven by a love for the game and a desire to understand its nuances.

Day attended the University of New Hampshire, where he played quarterback for the Wildcats. While his playing career didn’t gain the national attention of other college quarterbacks, it provided him with a strong foundation in the sport and an invaluable perspective as a coach later in his career. After college, Day moved into coaching, working his way through various assistant roles, which would eventually shape him into the elite coach he is today.

The Coaching Journey: Climbing the Ladder

Ryan Day’s coaching journey began as an offensive assistant at Boston College in 2002. From there, he continued to build his resume at various stops, including coaching stints at the University of Florida, Temple, and the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. But it was his time at the University of Notre Dame, first as a quarterback coach and later as an offensive coordinator, that began to put his name on the radar of college football’s top programs.

In 2017, Day’s big break came when he joined Urban Meyer’s coaching staff at Ohio State. Day initially served as the team’s quarterbacks coach, where he quickly established himself as one of the brightest minds in the game. Working with future NFL quarterbacks like Dwayne Haskins and Justin Fields, Day’s offensive schemes were lauded for their creativity, precision, and adaptability.

It wasn’t long before Day’s success at Ohio State earned him consideration for head coaching positions. But he didn’t just step into the role when it came. Day’s path to becoming the Buckeyes’ head coach was paved with challenges, including a health scare that temporarily elevated him to the interim position during Meyer’s suspension in 2018. His impressive performance in that role solidified his standing as one of the top young coaches in college football.

The Road to Ohio State Head Coach

When Urban Meyer announced his retirement following the 2018 season, Ohio State didn’t look far for his successor. The university turned to Ryan Day, who had demonstrated an innate ability to lead, adapt, and connect with his players. When Day took over the reins as the 25th head coach of the Buckeyes, he was stepping into enormous shoes. Meyer had led the team to three national championships, including a 2014 title, and had set the bar high for his successor.

But Ryan Day’s appointment came with significant pressure. Expectations were sky-high, and his ability to meet those expectations would define his tenure. The transition was anything but easy. In his first year as head coach in 2019, Day inherited a roster brimming with talent, most notably in the form of quarterback Justin Fields, who transferred from Georgia. The offense quickly became one of the most explosive in the country, with Day’s playcalling and Fields’ dual-threat ability leading the Buckeyes to a 13-1 record and a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinals. Despite a thrilling season, Ohio State fell short of winning it all, losing to Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl. Still, the season was a massive success for a first-year head coach and demonstrated that Day had the ability to take the program to new heights.

The 2020 Season: A Year of Triumph and Heartbreak

The 2020 season, though marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and its disruptive effect on college football, would prove to be Ryan Day’s moment to truly showcase his coaching brilliance. Despite the challenges, including a shortened season and the threat of cancellation, Day kept his team focused and ready to compete at the highest level.

Under Day’s leadership, Ohio State was dominant, led by quarterback Justin Fields, running back Trey Sermon, and a defense that, while not as strong as past Buckeyes’ units, still played well enough to put the team in position to compete for a national championship. Ohio State breezed through the Big Ten, defeating their rivals and earning a spot in the CFP National Championship game.

However, the season ended in heartbreak for Day and the Buckeyes. Despite their dominant start, Ohio State fell to Alabama in the national title game, 52-24. While it was another disappointing end to a great season, the 2020 campaign cemented Day’s reputation as one of the best coaches in the game. Even in defeat, his team’s resilience, particularly after the many obstacles of the pandemic season, stood out. Ryan Day had earned the respect of his peers, and more importantly, he had proven that Ohio State was in capable hands.

Overcoming Challenges: Personal and Professional Growth

Throughout his coaching journey, Ryan Day faced challenges that extended beyond the football field. One of the most personal was his battle with the loss of his father, Ray Day, in 2017. The loss was devastating for Ryan, and it served as a poignant reminder of the importance of family, perspective, and humility in his life.

Ryan’s leadership style is often described as calm, measured, and focused. He is known for his intense preparation, attention to detail, and ability to stay level-headed during moments of adversity. However, behind that calm exterior lies a coach who has been deeply impacted by the ups and downs of his career and life. The setbacks have only strengthened his resolve.

When Ryan Day took the job at Ohio State, he was not just stepping into the shoes of a legend—he was also carrying the weight of a program that demands excellence. He knew it would take more than just X’s and O’s to succeed. It would take a strong culture, the right staff, and a roster of players who bought into his vision.

One of the key aspects of Day’s success has been his ability to relate to his players and build relationships. As a former player himself, Day understands the unique challenges that college athletes face both on and off the field. He has become known for his emotional intelligence, an important quality for any coach, but especially in a high-pressure environment like Ohio State.

Building Ohio State into a National Powerhouse

Ryan Day’s tenure at Ohio State has seen the program continue to thrive. His ability to recruit top-tier talent and develop quarterbacks—one of the most critical positions in college football—has been a hallmark of his tenure. Under Day, Ohio State has produced elite players, including Justin Fields and CJ Stroud, who have gone on to make significant impacts at the next level in the NFL.

Additionally, Day’s offensive philosophy has revolutionized Ohio State’s attack. Known for a dynamic, up-tempo offense that features a balanced approach, Day has successfully integrated passing, rushing, and play-action elements into his playbook. His success in adapting his offense to the talent on hand has allowed Ohio State to remain among the nation’s most feared teams year in and year out.

Despite the national championship heartbreaks and occasional stumbles along the way, Day’s Ohio State program remains at the top of the Big Ten and among the most competitive teams in the CFP hunt year after year.

Legacy and Looking Ahead

As Ryan Day enters the next phase of his career, the legacy he is building at Ohio State is becoming more evident. The climb to the top of college football has been a long, painful one—full of obstacles, disappointments, and moments of triumph. But Day has faced each challenge head-on, learning from every setback and growing stronger as a coach and leader.

In the coming years, Day’s Ohio State program will continue to be a force in college football, poised to compete for national championships and mold future NFL stars. And for Ryan Day himself, the journey to the mountaintop is far from over. While he has already established himself as one of the best, he knows the climb never stops in college football. Every season brings new challenges, new obstacles to overcome, and new opportunities to prove that the ascent to greatness is not just about reaching the top, but staying there.

For Ryan Day, his climb to the top of college football has been about more than just winning games. It’s about leaving a legacy, building a culture, and creating a program that can withstand the test of time. And in that respect, he has already succeeded. But with the future ahead of him, the next chapter of Ryan Day’s journey may yet be his most successful one yet.