Ryan Day, the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, has officially secured his future with the program, agreeing to a new seven-year contract extension. This lucrative deal, which pays him $12.5 million annually until 2031, was announced just two and a half weeks after Day led the Buckeyes to their first national championship title since 2014—a significant achievement amid mixed feelings from fans.
Despite the jubilant news of securing another championship, many Ohio State fans have had their anxieties about Day, particularly due to his repeated failures against the Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State's biggest rival. Enthusiasm around this contract extension might be dampened slightly by the shadow of the Buckeyes' fourth consecutive loss to Michigan, occurring shortly before the national title victory. After this disappointing loss, calls from some fans for Day’s dismissal rang loud; yet, now many are celebrating his continued leadership.
Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork praised Day's contributions to the program when announcing the contract. He stated, “Ryan has not only kept Buckeye football as the preeminent program, but he also guides young men to leaders, instilling values…” This emphasizes the university's belief not only in Day’s coaching capabilities but also his role in shaping young athletes’ futures.
Now with this contract, Day has cemented his place as the second-highest-paid head coach in college football, only behind Georgia’s Kirby Smart, who earns $13 million annually. This pay increase of approximately $2.5 million signifies the university's commitment to maintaining momentum, especially within the highly competitive atmosphere of college football.
Day’s impressive record of 70-10 since taking over as head coach reflects his effectiveness, with his winning percentage standing as the highest among current coaches. The doubts about his ability to capitalize on talent against rivals like Michigan remain, yet his overall performance against non-Michigan teams showcases his leadership. With victories over teams such as Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame, he has maintained stature among elite coaches.
After securing the contract, Day expressed gratitude to President Ted Carter and Ross Bjork, acknowledging the vote of confidence from the university's leadership. Day remarked, “I want to thank President Ted Carter, director of athletics Ross Bjork and the Board of Trustees for the confidence and trust they have…” underscoring his passion and commitment to the Buckeye community.
This contract extension aims to offer stability, which Bjork highlighted as being particularly important when considering recruiting and overall program success amid shifts in the college football environment.
Reactions come not just from within Ohio but also from rival fans across the collegiate sports community. For example, Michigan fans appeared to revel at the extension's announcement, playfully anticipating the growing streak of victories against the Buckeyes, particularly as they enjoyed the rare pleasure of defeating Ohio State multiple times.
While this new contract sets Day up for long-term success, skepticism lingers on how he will fare against the Wolverines. Many Buckeye fans are hopeful this arrangement emboldens him to craft strategies to be more competitive against their fiercest rival.
Ohio State will be watching closely as the upcoming season approaches, and Day's performance against Michigan will likely dictate the long-term legacy he builds at the university. Until then, the contract extension marks not only financial security for Day but also sets the stage for what could be pivotal years for Ohio State football.