Eric Boggs
As the dust settles on another exhilarating college football season, discussions inevitably turn to coaching prowess. Who stands among the elite? Where do the top names in the sport rank? And, most importantly for Buckeye fans, where does Ohio State’s Ryan Day fit into this hierarchy? The OHIO Podcast recently released its definitive ranking of the top ten college football coaches, and while debates will rage on, one thing is clear: Ryan Day has cemented himself among the game’s best.
At number two on the list, Ryan Day trails only Georgia’s Kirby Smart. Considering Smart’s back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022, plus his continued dominance in the SEC, it’s difficult to argue against his top billing. However, with Day’s recent national title in 2024 and a sterling 70-10 overall record, it’s clear he belongs firmly in the conversation for the sport’s best.
What makes Ryan Day’s success so impressive is not just his record but the path he has taken to build Ohio State into a perennial contender. He took over the Buckeyes’ program in 2019 and wasted no time establishing dominance. He won Big Ten championships in 2019 and 2020 before running into a scandal-ridden Michigan program that derailed his conference title streak. Despite those setbacks, he kept Ohio State at an elite level, culminating in last season’s championship run.
Day boasts an 87.5% winning percentage, making him one of the most successful active coaches. His ability to recruit at an elite level, develop top-tier quarterbacks, and maintain Ohio State’s status as a powerhouse in the increasingly competitive Big Ten solidifies his standing. Even with challenges from programs like Oregon, led by Dan Lanning, and a surging Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame, Day remains the standard in the Midwest.
Perhaps the most compelling argument for Day as a top-tier coach is his 5-2 record in the College Football Playoff. While he has had some tough losses, including the heartbreaker against Georgia in 2022, his ability to consistently get Ohio State into the mix for national titles speaks volumes. Unlike coaches who benefit from weaker conferences, Day competes in one of the toughest leagues in the country and continues to deliver championship-caliber teams.
Of course, Buckeye fans will argue that Day deserves to be at the top of the list. And given his trajectory, it’s not out of the question that he could surpass Kirby Smart in the near future. With the landscape of college football evolving—NIL, the transfer portal, and conference realignment—Day has proven he can adapt and thrive. If he secures another national championship in the next few years, there will be no debate about his status as the top coach in college football.
For now, though, the rankings are set. Kirby Smart holds the crown, but Ryan Day is right on his heels. And with the way he has Ohio State positioned, don’t be surprised if the next edition of this list sees him at the very top.
