Eric Boggs
In the wake of Ohio State’s fourth consecutive loss to Michigan, Ryan Day is under a level of scrutiny few Buckeye head coaches have ever faced. The tension within Buckeye Nation is building, and it all came to a head during Day’s press conference following Early National Signing Day.
While celebrating the signing of the fifth-ranked recruiting class in the nation, Day was confronted with a question from Bill Landis, a seasoned sports reporter, that left him visibly unsettled:
“You guys now are on year four of at least not reaching two of those stated goals. Obviously, the third one is still out in front of you. Why are you the right coach to get the team to that point this season?”
What followed was an unconvincing, meandering response from Day that only further fueled doubts about his ability to lead Ohio State back to the top of college football.
For four years now, Ryan Day’s tenure has been marked by brilliance against inferior opponents but an inability to deliver in the games that matter most. The Michigan rivalry—a cornerstone of the Ohio State program—has become a glaring weakness for Day. In a program where coaches like Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer built their legacies on dominating “The Game,” Day’s record of 1-4 against the Wolverines is unacceptable to many fans.
Co-hosts Eric Boggs and Zach Gugenheim of The OHIO Podcast summed it up bluntly: “Ryan Day is a failure. He has one win against Michigan with some of the better Ohio State teams in my lifetime.”
The frustration is evident. Day has brought in top-tier recruiting classes and developed NFL talent. But as Boggs and Gugenheim noted, the culture under his leadership seems to lack the grit required to win in the trenches—the area where Michigan has dominated during this streak.
One of the recurring critiques of Day is his tendency to coach tight in high-pressure games. Against Michigan, for example, the Buckeyes’ offensive play-calling was baffling. Despite clear evidence that Michigan’s defensive line was dominating the interior, Ohio State failed to adjust, repeatedly running plays that played into the Wolverines’ strength.
This cautious approach was a stark contrast to the aggression required to win a game of such magnitude. As Gugenheim put it, “Ryan Day coached scared that entire game with the exception of the first six plays and the two-minute drill.”
Ohio State’s inability to capitalize on opportunities was glaring. A single touchdown lead in the second half might have been enough to swing the momentum, but mistakes and conservative play-calling prevented the Buckeyes from seizing control.
Day’s response to Landis’ question included a defense of the program’s culture, saying, “The culture is strong as it’s ever been.” However, critics on The OHIO Podcast vehemently disagreed.
“What are they bought into? Are they bought into Ryan Day? Are they bought into getting the job done? Because the culture has proven it can’t beat Michigan,” Boggs argued.
Ohio State’s struggles in the trenches highlight a deeper issue. Since the days of Chase Young, the Buckeyes have failed to develop elite linemen on both sides of the ball. Meanwhile, Michigan has built a powerhouse offensive and defensive line, creating the physical dominance that Ohio State has lacked.
Perhaps the most concerning takeaway from Day’s press conference was the lack of conviction in his answers. This isn’t the first time Day has appeared unsure of himself in the public eye, but in this instance, his uncertainty seemed to mirror his team’s struggles on the field.
“He never says it with his chest,” Boggs lamented. “Nothing he says comes off as, ‘I believe what I’m saying.’”
This perceived lack of self-confidence has permeated the program, leading to tight play and uncharacteristic mistakes in big games. For Ohio State to regain its dominance, Day must find a way to project strength—not just in his words but in his actions on the sideline.
How Ryan Day Can Turn It Around
The co-hosts of The OHIO Podcast offered a roadmap for how Day could begin to rebuild trust and confidence within the program.
- Take Ownership: Day’s deflections and vague answers do little to inspire confidence. Acknowledging failures and outlining a clear plan to address them would go a long way.
- Speak with Conviction: As Boggs suggested, Day needs to “say it with his chest.” Fans want a leader who is unapologetically confident and determined to restore Ohio State to glory.
- Fix the Trenches: The Buckeyes must address their deficiencies in the offensive and defensive lines, whether through recruiting, development, or the transfer portal. Without improvement in these areas, they will continue to struggle against elite teams.
- Reignite the Rivalry: Ohio State players and fans need to feel the weight of “The Game” again. As Boggs put it, “It’s not about the coach. It’s about Ohio State.” The team must adopt a mentality that embodies the pride and passion of Buckeye Nation.
Ryan Day’s future at Ohio State hinges on his ability to adapt and grow as a leader. With the College Football Playoff expanding and a tougher Big Ten schedule looming, the margin for error is shrinking.
If Day can channel the passion and confidence of his predecessors and fix the cultural and strategic flaws that have plagued his tenure, he has a chance to rewrite the narrative. But as it stands, the road ahead looks uncertain, and Day will need more than just talent to keep Ohio State at the pinnacle of college football.
As Gugenheim aptly summarized, “Here’s how you become the right guy: Step one, stop BS-ing the media. Step two, win games that matter.”
The clock is ticking for Ryan Day. Will he rise to the challenge, or will Ohio State look elsewhere for a coach who can deliver on its lofty expectations?
