Eric Boggs
In the heart of the offseason, The OHIO Podcast’s Chris “Wild Man” Wilds posed a bold hypothetical that’s sure to spark debate across Buckeye Nation: could Ryan Day eventually surpass the legendary Woody Hayes as the greatest head coach in Ohio State football history?
At first glance, the comparison feels almost sacrilegious. Woody Hayes is the gold standard in Columbus. His 28-year tenure yielded five national championships, 13 Big Ten titles, and a fierce 16-11-1 record against Michigan. Hayes didn’t just coach Ohio State—he defined it. His intensity and disdain for “that team up north” elevated The Game to iconic status and forged the Buckeye identity.
But Wilds challenges fans to take off the scarlet-and-gray nostalgia glasses and look at the numbers, not the era. Because, if Ryan Day maintains his current trajectory over the next eight seasons, the argument shifts dramatically.
Day, in just six seasons, boasts a staggering .875 overall winning percentage with a 70-10 record. He’s already led the Buckeyes to four College Football Playoff appearances and one national title. His 56-6 record in Big Ten play (a .903 winning percentage) is pure dominance. While Hayes has the hardware, Day’s efficiency in the modern era, where competition is fiercer and the margin for error thinner, can’t be ignored.
The glaring blemish on Day’s résumé is the 1-4 record versus Michigan. But as Wilds points out, that can change. If Day goes 6-2 against Michigan over the next eight seasons, he’d flip that to a respectable 7-6, surpassing Hayes’ .592 mark in The Game. And if the NCAA hands down sanctions that force Michigan to vacate wins, Day’s numbers improve even more dramatically—possibly to a 7-3 record against the Wolverines and a .700 winning percentage in the rivalry.
Projecting forward with current trends, Day could finish with a 182-26 record, three national championships, six Big Ten titles, and an outstanding bowl record. His projected 126-14 Big Ten record would give him a .900+ winning percentage in conference play—well above Hayes’ .770 mark.
Even in top-tier competition, Day holds his own. He’s currently 24-9 versus top 25 opponents, and if the trend holds, he could finish 59-22, besting Hayes’ 49-32-7. Against the top 10, Day is projected to be 54-28, again outpacing Hayes’ legacy. And versus the top five? A potential 25-21 record—tougher opponents, tighter games, still winning.
It’s not just a statistical anomaly either. As Wilds notes, Day is navigating a more volatile and competitive landscape. With NIL, the transfer portal, and modern recruiting pressures, college football is the Wild West. Yet Day has not only survived—he’s thrived. He’s rebuilt rosters, adapted strategies, and kept Ohio State among the nation’s elite.
So, could Day surpass Woody? If you value longevity and tradition, the answer might always be no. Hayes is a foundational figure, an institution. But if you value winning percentage, high-level consistency, postseason success, and thriving under modern pressures, the numbers make a compelling case.
Wilds, a longtime critic of Day’s Michigan woes, admits this analysis removes emotion from the equation. It’s not about fan frustration or past shortcomings. It’s about facts, trends, and a coach who may be just getting started.
In the end, this becomes Ohio State’s own version of the MJ vs. LeBron debate. Hayes has the rings and the reverence. But if Day continues his climb—and solves the Michigan riddle—he may very well rewrite the Buckeye history books.
