Eric Boggs
In an emotional and deeply candid interview, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day pulled back the curtain on a historic national championship run that tested every fiber of his program’s resilience, unity, and belief. From the searing sting of a loss to Michigan to the euphoric embrace with his family in Atlanta, Day’s reflections offer a profound glimpse into the trials and triumphs that defined a season Buckeye Nation will never forget.
When Day first accepted the head coaching job, he understood the expectations, the magnitude of the Ohio State brand, and the honor of leading one of college football’s most storied programs. But, as he now admits, what he didn’t fully grasp was the gravity of the journey ahead—the emotional toll, the sacrifices of his family, and the constant weight of delivering on greatness.
That pressure mounted during the season’s lowest moment: the loss to Michigan. For Day, it wasn’t just a defeat—it was a gut punch that echoed through every hallway of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. The pain, he said, was nearly familial. “Nobody outside of the Woody or my family or these coaches or these players wants to win that game more than we do,” Day said. “It was surreal how it all played out.” Still, in classic Buckeye fashion, that anguish became fuel.
Day spoke about how his team rallied together after that loss, how three days later, the leaders and staff sat down to face the hard truths and made a commitment to fix what needed to be fixed. “You’ve got to take accountability,” he stressed. “Then you communicate, and you move forward. And you act.”
That resolve was on full display during Ohio State’s grueling playoff path—what Day described as “historically hard.” The Bucks took down a red-hot Tennessee team, then battled Oregon in a Rose Bowl that felt like a road game. Finally, they marched into Austin to play Texas in what amounted to a hostile environment. “It was like a pardon,” Day said of their seeding. “We felt like we deserved it to be hard.” And that made the victories—especially the national title—so much sweeter.
Day credited the program’s ability to “keep swinging” through adversity. His players responded with resilience. His staff made key adjustments. His family stood by him with unwavering strength. And his players—especially rising star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith—took their games to new heights. Smith, Day said, came in as a freshman with a rare level of maturity and talent. This year, he expects even more as the game slows down and confidence grows.
Reflecting on the embrace he shared with his wife after the championship game, Day got emotional. “She said, ‘You did it.’ And I said, ‘No, we did it.’” That sentiment permeates every part of his message—this was not just about one man or even one team. It was a collective effort, powered by staff, players, fans, families, and the larger Ohio State community.
As the Buckeyes turn the page toward another season, Day is already focused on building from this foundation. With a younger roster, a competitive quarterback battle, and new faces on the coaching staff—including the addition of Matt Patricia as a defensive coordinator—he sees opportunity, not obstacles. Day’s goal isn’t just another trophy. “The goal is to make an impact on young people’s lives,” he said. “Winning just allows us to keep doing that.”
Ohio State fans have long admired Day’s tactical mind and steady leadership. But it’s his authenticity, his commitment to the program’s core values, and his drive to develop men—not just athletes—that truly sets him apart. In 2024, Day didn’t just win a national title—he reinforced what it means to be a Buckeye.
