Ryan Day just led one of the greatest runs in college football history. After six seasons at the helm, he’s now entering Year 7 with one clear mission: defend OSU’s National Title. But the road to the top wasn’t paved with roses. It started with a painful setback—a fourth straight loss to Michigan that had everyone on edge. Fans were left asking, ‘Can Day break the Michigan curse?’ That question hung in the air until the Buckeyes answered with one of the most memorable turns in memory.
The Buckeyes went on a tear. In four straight wins, they dismantled four titans: the Vols, Notre Dame, Oregon, and Texas. It was a true statement run, one that completely flipped the narrative around Ryan Day. Overnight, he went from being seen as a coach on the hot seat to a title contender. With the Buckeyes back on top, the burning question remains: can he keep them there for the long haul?
Day’s current resume speaks for itself. With a 70-10 record as a head coach and a national title to his name, he is in rare company—one of just three active college head coaches to achieve such success. His record, combined with a high-priced roster, sets the stage for an exciting 2025 season. That program isn’t resting on its laurels.
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J.D. PicKell has taken notice. He placed Ohio State in his top 10 list of best teams for the next three years, citing the program’s elite resources and talent. PicKell commented, “The resources—we talk about the $20 million roster from this last year—that’s fine. They just won a national title. I don’t think they’re staying at $20 million; spoiler alert. The brand will help recruiting. The roster is going to be elite. I think Ryan is a top-two coach in the sport. I’ve said that before. 70 and 10. Won the national title. Mic drop.” Yet, amidst the accolades, there is an undercurrent of caution.
via Getty 2025 CFP National Championship Presented by AT&T- Ohio State v Notre Dame ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 20: Head coach Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes hoist the trophy after beating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34-23 in the 2025 CFP National Championship at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 20, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
PicKell warns that another loss to Michigan could jeopardize Day’s future at OSU. In a Feb 23rd On3 episode, he ranked Ohio State at No. 4 on his list—while Texas, Oregon, and Georgia occupy the top three spots. “The reason why I don’t have Ohio State higher on this list—and I’ll address that right now—is because I think it’s going to be one of the big pushbacks. I’m really curious to see what the future is for Ohio State and Ryan Day past the next season or next two seasons. Obviously, three seasons is our sample size,” PicKell explained.
This naturally raises a big question: what happens if Ryan Day suffers a fifth consecutive loss to Michigan? With the intensity of this rivalry well-known—especially after threats were made against Day’s family following previous losses—the pressure is immense. His wife, Nina Day, revealed that these incidents took a significant mental toll on him. And now, with rumors swirling, PicKell asks, “Does Ryan Day just say, I want to go to the NFL?” If that happens, everything changes. But hold up—no need to panic. Ryan Day dropped a major update on his $87.5M loyalty, showing he’s not leaving anytime soon.
Ryan Day gets real about his future
Buckeye Nation can relax—Ryan Day isn’t going anywhere. Well, the head coach just reassured fans with a strong message about his future. “I’ve said this before, I want to stay here as long as they’ll have me. This is a place with special people. It is an honor. It’s going to be an honor to be the coach moving forward,” said Day. It looks like with $87.5 million on the table and a National Championship to defend, he’s locked in.
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So, Day isn’t just staying—he’s getting paid. See, after the Buckeyes’ win over Notre Dame, he locked in a contract extension that keeps him in Columbus through 2031. And that’s nearly half a decade of stability for Ohio State. However, the paycheck? A massive $12.5 million per year, making him the second-highest-paid coach in the country. Only Georgia’s Kirby Smart sits above him. But with a fresh national title under his belt, Day’s value is undeniable.
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So, the mission is clear—keep the Buckeyes on top. And with Day’s experience, it’s more than possible. You know, he’s coached at every level, from college powerhouses to the NFL. On top of that, he’s built elite offenses and developed star quarterbacks. Not only this, but since taking over in 2019, he’s kept Ohio State in the title hunt and brought a championship back to Columbus. Now, as 2025 approaches, can Day and the Buckeyes defend their crown and stay on top of the CFB world?