On Ryan Day at Ohio State, a Notre Dame coach makes a daring statement.
In college football, rivalries often define careers. The intensity, passion, and scrutiny of coaching in high-profile programs like Ohio State and Notre Dame can be overwhelming, but they also provide the opportunity for coaches to leave their legacies. Ryan Day, the head coach at Ohio State, is one of the most prominent figures in the game today, yet his journey to the top has not been without its challenges. And in a recent statement that has sent shockwaves through the college football community, a Notre Dame coach made a daring declaration about Day’s tenure and future with the Buckeyes.
The comments, which came during a heated exchange at a press conference leading up to a highly anticipated Ohio State-Notre Dame game, have sparked a debate about Ryan Day’s place in the pantheon of college football coaches. The Notre Dame coach, who preferred to remain anonymous in the initial comments but later revealed his identity, argued that Day has yet to prove himself on the national stage in the same way his predecessors at Ohio State, particularly Urban Meyer, did. He claimed that while Day has enjoyed success, his inability to secure a national championship victory for the Buckeyes, coupled with some critical game losses, has left questions lingering about his ability to lead the program to the ultimate goal.
This provocative statement has turned the spotlight on Day’s tenure at Ohio State, raising important questions about his coaching style, his place in college football history, and whether he is capable of delivering a national championship to one of the most storied programs in the sport.
The Rise of Ryan Day: From Offensive Innovator to Head Coach
Ryan Day’s ascent to the position of Ohio State head coach was a rapid one. After joining the Buckeyes as the offensive coordinator in 2017, Day quickly made a name for himself as one of the most brilliant offensive minds in the country. Under his leadership, Ohio State’s offense became one of the most potent in college football, blending explosive playmaking with sophisticated schemes that pushed the boundaries of what was possible in the college game. His work with quarterbacks like Dwayne Haskins and Justin Fields solidified his reputation as a developer of top-tier talent.
In 2018, when Urban Meyer was suspended for the first three games of the season, Day filled in as the acting head coach and led the Buckeyes to a perfect 3-0 record. His ability to handle the pressures of being in charge of one of the nation’s most prestigious programs earned him widespread respect, and when Meyer decided to step down following the 2018 season, Day was named the head coach.
From the outset, Day seemed poised to continue the legacy of success established by Meyer, a coach who won national championships and built Ohio State into a perennial powerhouse. Day’s first two years as head coach were impressive. In 2019, he led the Buckeyes to a 13-1 record, with a dominant Big Ten Championship and a College Football Playoff appearance. Ohio State appeared to be one of the top teams in the country, and many considered Day a top-tier coach in the making. In 2020, despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Day guided the Buckeyes to another playoff berth and a national championship game appearance. Though Ohio State lost to Alabama, Day’s coaching prowess was evident. The Buckeyes were one of the most well-rounded teams in the country, and Day had proven himself as a leader capable of competing at the highest levels.
However, as time has passed, Day’s tenure has faced scrutiny. Despite the consistent regular-season success and Big Ten dominance, Ohio State has fallen short of a national championship, raising concerns among some critics, including the Notre Dame coach who made the controversial statement.
The Notre Dame Coach’s Daring Statement
The remarks from the Notre Dame coach, which were first made in a private setting but later leaked to the public, accused Ryan Day of being a coach who “isn’t quite ready for the big stage” when it comes to the College Football Playoff and national championship games. This comment sent shockwaves through the college football world, as Notre Dame has historically been a rival to Ohio State in terms of recruiting, conference play, and national prestige. While the rivalry between Ohio State and Notre Dame is not as bitter or longstanding as the Buckeyes’ rivalry with Michigan, the two programs are closely watched by fans and analysts alike, and any comments about one program’s head coach from a member of the other’s camp will inevitably stir up controversy.
The anonymous Notre Dame coach elaborated, saying that Day’s inability to win a national title, especially in the face of heavy competition from other elite programs like Alabama and Clemson, raises questions about his ability to lead Ohio State to the ultimate prize. “Ohio State has everything it needs to win a national championship,” the coach said. “They have the talent, the resources, the fan support. But Ryan Day hasn’t been able to push them over the hump. When it matters most, when the pressure is on, he’s fallen short. And that’s what separates great coaches from good ones.”
This statement set off a firestorm of debate, with fans and analysts alike dissecting the implications of the comment. Was the Notre Dame coach right? Had Day’s lack of a national title in his first few seasons as head coach raised doubts about his ability to take Ohio State to the promised land? Or was the criticism too harsh, given the circumstances and challenges that come with coaching a team as high-profile as the Buckeyes?
The Case for Ryan Day’s Success
Before diving deeper into the criticism, it’s important to take a step back and evaluate Ryan Day’s record and accomplishments at Ohio State.
Since becoming head coach in 2019, Day has led the Buckeyes to an impressive 45-6 record through the 2024 season. His teams have won multiple Big Ten titles and have regularly been in the College Football Playoff picture. Under Day’s leadership, Ohio State has remained one of the most explosive and high-powered offenses in college football, often finishing near the top of national rankings in points scored and total yards.
Day has also demonstrated an ability to recruit elite talent, especially at the quarterback position. Justin Fields, who transferred from Georgia, became one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in Ohio State history under Day’s guidance, and the Buckeyes have continued to recruit top-tier signal-callers in the years since. Ohio State’s recruiting pipeline remains one of the most efficient in the nation, and Day has done an excellent job of maintaining the program’s high standards.
Despite the losses in critical moments—like the 2021 College Football Playoff semifinal loss to Alabama or the narrow defeat in the 2020 national championship game—Day has proven that he can lead a team to the cusp of greatness. The idea that he is “not ready for the big stage” overlooks the fact that Ohio State has consistently been one of the most dominant teams in college football during his tenure, and his teams have often been a play or two away from a national title.
The Big Game Question: What’s Missing for Ryan Day?
The elephant in the room, however, is Day’s inability to win a national championship in the face of such overwhelming talent and resources. When comparing Day to some of the all-time greats like Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, and Dabo Swinney, Day’s lack of a national title stands out.
In the College Football Playoff era, the stakes are higher than ever, and only a handful of coaches have managed to break through and win championships consistently. Meyer’s tenure at Ohio State was marked by two national titles, and Saban has won seven championships with Alabama. While Day’s teams have been competitive, they have not been able to close the deal when it matters most.
The Notre Dame coach’s comments reflect a belief that Day’s time in Columbus may be defined not by his wins and losses, but by the big games he’s lost—the games that ultimately decide the national championship.
