Ohio State’s Playoff run Ryan Day developed a foundation that was stronger than it appeared.

In the world of college football, the pressure to succeed in the playoff era has never been greater. Schools like Ohio State University, with its rich history, passionate fanbase, and high expectations, face the burden of competing for national championships year after year. When Ryan Day took over as head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2019, there were enormous shoes to fill after Urban Meyer’s success in Columbus. Meyer, with his three national titles and the foundation he built at Ohio State, set a high bar for Day to meet. While Day has yet to capture a national title, his ability to construct a foundation—one that many might have underestimated—has made Ohio State a perennial contender in the College Football Playoff (CFP) picture. This essay will examine how Ryan Day’s leadership and strategic decisions have contributed to a more robust and sustainable foundation for Ohio State’s playoff runs than it might seem at first glance.

The Immediate Successor Role

When Ryan Day was promoted to head coach after Urban Meyer’s retirement, it was clear that expectations would be high. Meyer had led Ohio State to three national championships and multiple Big Ten titles, and his program was a well-oiled machine. Day inherited a team stacked with talent, including star quarterback Dwayne Haskins, but the pressure was still immense to not only maintain success but also to enhance the program’s competitive edge.

Day’s first year at the helm in 2019 was a statement. Despite inheriting a team with some holes—especially after the departure of key players like Haskins—he quickly molded Ohio State into a playoff-caliber team. His offensive prowess, especially in utilizing a dual-threat quarterback like Justin Fields, proved that he had the tactical ability to lead at the highest level. Ohio State would go on to have an undefeated regular season, eventually making it to the College Football Playoff semifinals. Although they fell short in a controversial loss to Clemson, the very fact that Day was able to sustain and even elevate the program’s performance in such a short time suggested that he had a deep understanding of what it would take to keep Ohio State at the top of the college football hierarchy.

Offensive Innovation

One of Day’s greatest strengths as a coach is his offensive acumen. He was an offensive coordinator under Meyer, helping Ohio State develop one of the most potent offenses in the country. Upon becoming head coach, Day didn’t drastically change Ohio State’s offensive philosophy, but he did take it to the next level by fully embracing a more modern, pass-heavy spread offense.

The transition to Justin Fields as the starting quarterback marked a new era for Ohio State, one that centered around Fields’ dual-threat abilities. Fields’ ability to make plays with his arm and his legs opened up possibilities that were often unavailable in previous iterations of the Ohio State offense. Day’s ability to develop Fields—who was a transfer from Georgia—into one of the best quarterbacks in the country is a testament to Day’s coaching and his trust in developing elite talent.

The offense under Day became increasingly difficult to stop, as he blended a quick tempo with potent passing attacks. He was able to work with Fields and skill players like Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and J.K. Dobbins to build an offensive juggernaut that ranked among the best in the nation in scoring and yards per play. This offensive scheme not only helped Day secure playoff berths but also reinforced his reputation as one of the top offensive minds in college football.

However, Ryan Day’s innovation did not stop with just tweaking an already powerful offense. Over time, he began making offensive adjustments that reflected his long-term vision for Ohio State’s future—incorporating new trends and even blending elements from different schools of thought. Day’s commitment to evolving the offense, including making adjustments to the tempo and adapting to new defensive strategies, made Ohio State’s offense one of the most difficult to predict and defend against in college football.

Recruiting Excellence

While offensive strategy has been at the forefront of Day’s coaching success, his ability to recruit at a consistently high level is perhaps the single most important factor in building a lasting foundation for Ohio State’s playoff runs. Recruiting has always been a critical piece of Ohio State’s formula, but under Day, the Buckeyes have reached new heights in terms of attracting elite talent to Columbus.

Day’s approach to recruiting is rooted in both maintaining the traditional strengths of Ohio State—such as its dominance in Ohio and the Midwest—and expanding its national footprint. Day has been relentless in his pursuit of top-tier recruits, particularly at skill positions like quarterback, wide receiver, and cornerback, where elite talent can make the difference between good and great teams.

In recruiting, Day has capitalized on Ohio State’s brand and history of success, and his offensive system has become an attractive feature for elite recruits. Players like Fields, Wilson, Olave, and TreVeyon Henderson were all heavily sought after, with Day’s program frequently landing the top talent in the country. As of 2025, Ohio State has solidified itself as a national recruiting powerhouse, with Day’s leadership resulting in top-five recruiting classes year after year.

Moreover, Day has not only focused on building out an offense-heavy roster but has also strengthened areas like the defensive line and secondary. Though Ohio State has historically struggled with defensive consistency in big games, Day has made strides to improve those aspects. The hiring of defensive coordinators like Kerry Coombs and Jim Knowles reflects Day’s intent to develop a complete team capable of competing at the highest level, not just in the regular season but also in the high-pressure environment of the College Football Playoff.

Maintaining a Winning Culture

It’s easy to assume that a team with Ohio State’s resources and talent will simply win based on its sheer strength, but that would be a misunderstanding of the culture Day has worked to build. Ryan Day has been instrumental in cultivating a program culture based on discipline, preparation, and resilience. He’s a coach who doesn’t shy away from tough decisions and expects accountability at all levels of the program.

Ohio State has suffered its fair share of disappointments during Day’s tenure, including playoff losses and near-misses in key games, but Day has continually emphasized the importance of learning from failure and staying focused on the long-term goals. This ability to maintain a steady course amid adversity has helped to strengthen the mental toughness of the team, ensuring that Ohio State remains a formidable force year after year.

Additionally, Day has fostered a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect among players, which has kept the locker room environment healthy and productive. His leadership has allowed Ohio State to continue to perform at a high level, even in the face of injuries or off-field distractions.

Strengthening the Defensive Side

Although Ohio State’s defense has not always been as lauded as its offense, Ryan Day has shown considerable growth in developing a more balanced, effective unit. The appointment of Jim Knowles as defensive coordinator in 2022 was a clear signal that Day understood the importance of bolstering his defense to become a true championship contender. Day recognized that to reach the final step—winning a national title—Ohio State needed to address defensive vulnerabilities that had surfaced in high-profile games.

The defense, particularly in 2023, began to show significant improvement. Ohio State was able to deploy a more disciplined, aggressive defense that was capable of slowing down the potent offenses it would face in the Playoff. While the unit may not yet be at the same level as its offensive counterparts, the improvements made under Day’s leadership suggest a defense on the verge of being championship-caliber.