Eric Boggs
As Ohio State begins its title defense in the 2025 college football season, head coach Ryan Day took the podium at Big Ten Media Days with a message of gratitude, resolve, and high standards. Day opened by recognizing Commissioner Tony Petitti and his leadership, stating, “I think it’s a challenge that he’s taking on and doing a great job of, so I want to thank him for all his hard work.” That tone of appreciation continued as he praised Buckeye Nation for its unwavering support. “We have some of the best fans in the world, and I certainly don’t take that lightly,” Day said, making it clear that community remains central to the program’s identity.
Day reflected on the 2024 national championship season but quickly pivoted to what lies ahead. He emphasized that the program is not defending a title, but rather pursuing a new one. “We’re not defending national champions because we’re not defending anything. They can’t take the trophy away. We’re looking to attack and win a championship with this team,” he explained. It’s clear this year’s team is motivated to build its own legacy, beginning with the marquee opener against Texas, which Day noted is now just 39 days away.
Day singled out three players who represented Ohio State at the event—Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, and Jeremiah Smith—not only for their talent but also their maturity. In a humorous moment, he recalled checking the players into the hotel himself because they were too young: “Caleb and Sonny are both 20, and Jeremiah’s 19. So I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll do it.'” Of Smith, who is entering just his sophomore season, Day said, “You don’t need to motivate Jeremiah. What he did as a freshman speaks for itself.” Smith’s drive and competitiveness were evident when Day commented, “He’s the first guy every single time we run through a warm-up. He’s just set such a standard.” When asked about Smith’s strong statements about last year’s loss to Michigan, Day noted, “He’s not used to losing… When he tells you something, you can believe it.”
Leadership and continuity were major themes, especially when discussing the coaching staff. Day expressed excitement about the addition of Matt Patricia as co-defensive coordinator, emphasizing that despite changes, the structure of the Ohio State defense remains intact. “We want to keep really the structure of what we’ve done in the past and keep that going,” he said. Patricia has already made an impression with both players and recruits. “They just have glowing responses about who he is, the way he connects, his personality,” Day added.
On the offensive side, Day reiterated the importance of continuity as Brian Hartline transitions into a more central role. “We’ve tried to keep the offense the same over these nine years… we want to have continuity year after year,” Day said, pointing out how critical it is to maintain stability even when coordinators change. With Tyler Bowen assisting in the run game, Day said he is confident in the coaching combination and in Hartline’s continued development. “He’s grown from a really good player to a really good coach, and now the next progression is to become a really good coordinator.”
Quarterback competition was another key topic. With Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz battling for the starting job, Day acknowledged the situation remains tight but promising. “We’re going to put them in as many competitive situations as we possibly can to figure out who handles that the best,” he said, noting that both quarterbacks have earned respect from teammates during offseason workouts. “I ask those guys all the time, and they like both of them,” Day added, highlighting that depth at the position is crucial for a full season push.
As the 2025 season approaches, Day’s comments made it clear: expectations are as high as ever, but the foundation is solid. Whether it’s the leadership of returning stars, the seamless integration of new staff, or the relentless offseason preparation, the Buckeyes are once again positioned to contend. “It’s an honor to be the head coach at Ohio State,” Day concluded. “And I don’t take that lightly. Go Bucks.”
