Eric Boggs
When the season began, doubts loomed large over Ryan Day’s tenure as the head coach of Ohio State. The heartbreak of consecutive losses to Michigan had eroded trust among fans, including myself. Admittedly, I didn’t have a ton of faith going into the post-season. My mindset was, “Let’s see what happens.” If the Tennessee Volunteers came into the Shoe and blew us out in the first round of the playoffs, I figured that would seal Ryan Day’s fate. And I wasn’t alone in this line of thinking—plenty of fans sold their tickets, many of which ended up in the hands of Tennessee fans.
But then, everything changed.
It all started when Jack Sawyer and the team defended their pride against Michigan’s attempt to plant their flag at midfield. That act ignited a spark in the locker room. Behind the scenes, there were players-only meetings, heart-to-heart discussions with Ryan Day, and a renewed sense of focus and determination. The Buckeyes hit the field against Tennessee, and what we saw was a completely different team. They dominated the Volunteers, and I began to think, “Where was this team all along?”
Ohio State went on to demolish Oregon in the Rose Bowl and secured a hard-fought victory against Texas in the Cotton Bowl, thanks to one of the most iconic plays in program history. Suddenly, the Buckeyes had beaten three top-ten teams in a row. Momentum was on their side as they entered the national championship game against Notre Dame. While I predicted an 11-point victory, the Buckeyes delivered in style, claiming the first-ever title of the 12-team playoff era. And with that, Ryan Day joined the ranks of coaching legends like Woody Hayes, Jim Tressel, and Urban Meyer as a national champion.
As the owner and host of The OHIO podcast, I owe Ryan Day an apology. While I never resorted to threats or personal attacks, I was vocal about my loss of faith in him. And for that, I am sorry. Day and his players proved me wrong in the most spectacular way possible. They showed grit, resilience, and an unshakable belief in themselves.
One moment that epitomized the season’s significance was a video shared by my friend B Moses. It captured Ryan Day’s family embracing after the championship win—a poignant reminder of the personal toll this journey took on him. Day endured relentless criticism, even to the extent of pulling his children out of their school district due to threats and unkind remarks. Such behavior is inexcusable, and it underscores the immense pressure he faced. Yet, through it all, he stayed focused and led his team to glory.
Ryan Day’s record now stands at 70-10, with an impressive winning percentage of .875. That’s better than coaching giants like Nick Saban, Dabo Swinney, and Kirby Smart at comparable points in their careers. For those who claimed Day was “born on third base,” it’s time to retire that lazy narrative. None of the current players were recruited by Urban Meyer. This championship was entirely Day’s doing—from recruiting and development to building a culture of faith, family, and football. He took a program reeling from four consecutive losses to Michigan and transformed it into a national champion.
This victory is about more than a trophy; it’s a testament to resilience, belief, and the Buckeye spirit. Ryan Day’s unwavering confidence in his players and his ability to shoulder immense pressure make him one of the best coaches in college football today. Ohio State fans, let’s celebrate this incredible team and the man who led them to the promised land. This championship was earned, and it’s time to give Ryan Day the respect he deserves.
Congratulations to Ryan Day, the Ohio State Buckeyes, and all of Buckeye Nation. We are national champions once again!
