Eric Boggs
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day joined The Pat McAfee Show on the eve of the Buckeyes’ season opener and delivered one of his most open and passionate interviews yet. Coming off a national championship season, Day reflected on the pressure of leading the program, the highs and lows of last year, and the massive Week 1 clash against Texas in the Horseshoe. From handling criticism to motivating his team, Day made it clear that this group is built for the moment.
Pat McAfee and his crew welcomed Day to the show with plenty of energy, joking about Ohio State’s dominance and the pressure that comes with being the man in charge. Day admitted that he’s had to learn how to navigate the constant noise surrounding the program. “I remember during the press conference when Urban kind of handed the whistle over to me and I said, ‘You gotta win the rivalry game and you gotta win every game after that.’ That’s how it works at Ohio State,” Day said. “Along the way, there are going to be things that are difficult and you’ve got to work through those. If you’re going to let it crumble you or fall apart, then you’re not going to make it. This job is for tough people who can handle it.”
Day acknowledged that being the head coach at Ohio State means living under a microscope and constantly managing sky-high expectations. He explained that he understands why fans react the way they do because of the program’s history and tradition. “When you talk about the fan base, these people love Ohio State — love it, love it,” he said. “And it’s a responsibility that we have. It’s bigger than any one person, any one player, any one coach. The guys understand that, and they understand what comes with it. When we lose a game around here, it’s not good. You’ve got to figure it out because there’s a lot riding on every single game.”
McAfee brought up how chaotic last season felt at times, especially when the noise outside the program was deafening. Day admitted that adversity brought the team closer and prepared them for the championship run. He pointed to the playoff win over Tennessee inside Ohio Stadium as a defining moment. “Our backs were against the wall, and we felt like coming out of that game, if we could play the way we played there, then there wasn’t anybody in the country that was going to beat us,” Day said. “For all of us — fans, alums, players, coaches — we had that mentality right out of the gate.”
The atmosphere that night in Columbus was something Day says he’ll never forget. “There was a decent amount of orange in the stadium, and they took over GameDay that morning. But when kickoff came, our fans were unbelievable,” Day said. “A lot of people came up to me and said that was one of their favorite games they’ve ever been a part of. The atmosphere, the energy, everything about it — it just kickstarted us.”
From that moment, the Buckeyes found their identity. They responded to adversity, locked in as a team, and refused to be denied on their way to a national title. Day credits his players for staying unified through tough stretches and using the challenges as fuel. “Tough times aren’t going to last, but tough people do,” he said. “And that’s something we learned last year with our guys.”
Now, the focus shifts to Texas. The Buckeyes open the 2025 season in a No. 1 vs. No. 3 showdown inside a sold-out Ohio Stadium, and Day knows what’s at stake. “Texas is excellent — super talented, very well-coached, and Sark does a great job,” Day said. “For us, Week 1 is about getting real feedback on where we are and setting the tone for the season. That’s why you come to Ohio State — to play in games like this.”
Saturday’s matchup also marks a new era at quarterback, as Alabama transfer Julian Sayin makes his first start for the Buckeyes. Day said his message to Sayin has been simple: focus on winning, not stats. “There’s no expectation other than winning the game,” Day said. “When you go into a first start like this, especially a game like this, it’s easy to start saying, ‘I need to throw for this many touchdowns’ or ‘I need this many tackles.’ That can’t be the case. You’ve got to trust what you do every day in practice, play really hard, and figure out a way to win.”
While Sayin takes over under center, Day also highlighted the importance of roster development and the transfer portal in shaping the Buckeyes’ championship-caliber team. He explained how the coaching staff has had to adapt to modern college football while keeping Ohio State’s culture intact. “Now more than ever, you have to recruit really well and then retain the guys you’re developing,” Day said. “If not, the turnover every year is just too much to handle. We hand-select the guys we bring in, and the first thing we make sure of is that they fit our culture.”
Despite entering the season as defending national champions, McAfee stressed that last year’s success means nothing now. “Being a national champion means nothing,” McAfee proclaimed. “Everybody’s at the bottom of the mountain again. Tomorrow, it’s time to climb.”
With College GameDay on campus, Texas in town, and the Horseshoe ready to erupt, Saturday’s matchup will set the tone for Ohio State’s title defense. Day knows it’s another moment where the Buckeyes must rise to the occasion — and he believes this team is ready. “This is why you come to Ohio State,” Day said. “To play in games like this, in this stadium, with everything on the line.”
