Ohio State’s newly crowned National Championship head coach, Ryan Day, made a memorable appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” this week, bringing the hard-earned championship trophy along for the ride. The celebration, filled with humor and heartfelt reflections, provided a unique glimpse into the journey behind Ohio State’s historic title run in the first-ever 12-team playoff format.

From the moment Day stepped onto Fallon’s stage, the weight of the achievement was both literal and figurative. As Fallon marveled at the trophy’s heft, jokingly admitting he couldn’t lift it, Day shared a laugh before settling on its approximate weight—though Fallon insisted it must be heavier than 50 pounds for dramatic effect.

The lighthearted banter quickly turned reflective when Fallon asked if the magnitude of the accomplishment had sunk in. Day recounted the emotional celebration in Ohio Stadium, where over 45,000 fans gathered to honor the Buckeyes. He described the journey through the grueling 16-game playoff format, praising his team’s resilience and determination. For Day, hoisting the trophy in front of the Ohio State faithful was the culmination of months of hard work and perseverance.

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Fallon couldn’t resist showing a clip of Day narrowly escaping a Gatorade bath after the championship victory, a moment that elicited laughter from the audience and the coach alike. Day recounted the chaotic seconds when he realized the game was in hand, tearing off his headset and narrowly missing the crowd with the toss. Of course, the Gatorade shower still found its mark, a fitting end to a triumphant night.

Another highlight from the championship aftermath involved Day and a few players riding a golf cart to the postgame press conference. Fallon shared a video of the cart hilariously colliding with a wall, leaving Day laughing and jokingly comparing the moment to a scene from Austin Powers. Even in the glow of victory, the humbling mishap reminded Day how quickly life can bring you back to Earth.

The conversation turned serious as Fallon probed how Day kept his team motivated after a crushing late-season loss to Michigan. Day highlighted the character and determination of his players, many of whom bypassed NFL opportunities to return for another year. He credited their belief and unity as the driving force behind Ohio State’s postseason run, beginning with a pivotal win over Tennessee and culminating in iconic victories against Oregon in the Rose Bowl and Texas in the Cotton Bowl. A game-sealing sack by Jack Sawyer in the Cotton Bowl was a defining moment of the season, propelling the Buckeyes to their ultimate triumph in the national championship.

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Day emphasized the life lessons this team’s journey taught, from overcoming adversity to believing in each other when no one else did. For him, the story of Ohio State’s championship season was about more than football—it was a testament to resilience and determination, qualities that resonate far beyond the gridiron.

Fallon closed the interview with a fun hypothetical, asking if Ohio native LeBron James could suit up for the Buckeyes. Day chuckled, praising LeBron’s support of Ohio State while joking that he’d have to work his way up like any other freshman. Day then wrapped up with a Super Bowl prediction, siding with the Eagles in honor of Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, a proud Philadelphia native.

Ryan Day’s appearance on “The Tonight Show” wasn’t just a celebration of Ohio State’s championship—it was a celebration of the team’s grit, the passion of its fans, and the values that carried the Buckeyes to the pinnacle of college football. For Ohio State supporters, seeing their coach shine on the national stage was just one more reason to cheer during a season filled with unforgettable moments.