Prior to the College Football Playoffs final, Ryan Day’s wife provides an unexpected perspective on death threats.

In the world of college football, the stakes are high, and the pressure on coaches to succeed can sometimes feel insurmountable. As the College Football Playoffs (CFP) championship approaches, fans, alumni, and even national media scrutinize every decision made by coaches, players, and the entire organization. For Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, the 2025 CFP final against a worthy opponent is no exception. However, just days before the big game, an unexpected perspective on the personal side of coaching surfaced when Ryan Day’s wife, Nina Day, spoke publicly about the toll that the public spotlight and its accompanying vitriol can have on families.

In an interview that caught the attention of many, Nina Day opened up about the death threats her husband had received and how those threats had affected their family. Her comments were striking for several reasons, but what was even more unexpected was the calm, compassionate, and thoughtful way in which she framed the conversation. In an era where public figures are often expected to dismiss or ignore the darker sides of their roles, Nina Day offered a deeply humanizing perspective, one that not only put into perspective the stress of living in the public eye but also highlighted the resilience and strength required to navigate such challenges.

This moment of vulnerability and honesty from Nina Day offered a rare window into the emotional cost of high-profile coaching positions, and it provided an opportunity for fans and the public to reflect on the broader issues surrounding the expectations placed on coaches, their families, and the mental and emotional toll that success—or failure—can bring.

The Pressure on College Football Coaches

At the heart of Nina Day’s comments lies the immense pressure placed on college football coaches, particularly at programs as storied and successful as Ohio State. College football coaches are expected to lead their teams to victory, recruiting the best talent, managing immense egos, and navigating the media circus that surrounds every game. They are, in essence, the face of their programs, and when things don’t go as planned, they bear the brunt of the blame.

Ryan Day, who succeeded Urban Meyer as head coach of the Buckeyes in 2019, has not been immune to this pressure. His arrival at Ohio State was met with high expectations, and while Day has experienced significant success—including multiple Big Ten championships and a national championship appearance—there have been setbacks. Losses to rivals, particularly in critical games such as the Big Ten Championship or the College Football Playoffs, have led to criticism, and in some extreme cases, threats.

For Nina Day, this pressure and the toxic nature of online discourse had become all too real. As her husband prepares for one of the biggest games of his career, the family was dealing with something more profound and troubling: death threats. The nature of college football has shifted in recent years, with the rise of social media making it easier for fans to voice their opinions, no matter how extreme. The vitriol and hostility that can spill over from keyboard warriors can be far-reaching, with coaches and their families often finding themselves at the receiving end of harrowing messages.

Nina Day’s Unexpected Perspective

In the days leading up to the CFP final, Nina Day chose to speak out about these issues, offering a level-headed and unexpected perspective on what many might have expected to be a more emotional response. Instead of focusing on the horror of receiving death threats or the anger that such threats often provoke, Nina Day chose to reflect on the broader implications of such behavior, calling for empathy and understanding.

During her interview, Nina began by acknowledging the reality of the situation. “Yes, there have been death threats. It’s not something I ever thought we would face,” she said. “But in a way, it’s part of the territory that comes with being in the public eye. It’s something we’re learning to navigate as a family.”

Nina went on to explain that, despite the overwhelming nature of such threats, they did not define their lives or her husband’s work. “What’s most important,” she explained, “is the focus on the team and the support of the people who matter most to us—our family, friends, and those who care about Ryan and his coaching.” In this calm, measured response, Nina Day revealed a powerful approach to handling the toxic elements of public life: focusing on the positive and blocking out the noise.

The most striking aspect of her comments, however, was the empathy she expressed not only toward her husband but toward those who might be lashing out. “I think it’s important to recognize that people are going through things themselves,” she said. “I don’t think anyone wakes up and chooses hate, but sometimes they are hurting in ways we can’t understand. I have compassion for that.” This unexpected perspective was met with surprise by many who anticipated a more defensive or even combative reaction from a wife who was witnessing the toll such hostility was taking on her family.

Nina’s ability to rise above the toxicity, to avoid succumbing to anger, and instead focus on empathy and understanding was a rare and refreshing take on an issue that has plagued the world of sports—and particularly college football—at the highest levels. Rather than play into the culture of divisiveness and outrage that often dominates media narratives, Nina Day sought to remind the public of the humanity of both the coaches who lead their teams and the fans who support or criticize them.

The Emotional Toll of Public Scrutiny

What Nina Day’s comments made clear is that the emotional toll of coaching in the public eye is not limited to the coach alone. The entire family is impacted by the highs and lows of the season, and the consequences of public scrutiny are felt on a deeply personal level. Ryan Day, like many coaches, is faced with the challenge of balancing his professional responsibilities with the well-being of his family, a task that becomes even more complicated when threats and harassment enter the picture.

In an age where social media amplifies the voices of every fan and critic, coaches are often bombarded with a constant stream of opinions, both positive and negative. The nature of these platforms means that toxic comments are more likely to be shared widely, creating a hostile environment where negativity often outweighs constructive criticism. This reality was underscored by Nina Day’s revelation that Ryan had received death threats as a result of his coaching decisions.

It is crucial to remember that, behind every public figure, there is a person with their own emotions, their own family, and their own struggles. Ryan Day’s job is not just to coach a team but to lead young men through the rigors of college athletics, where every game has the potential to define their futures. But at the end of the day, he is a husband and father, and those close to him experience the pressure and vitriol just as he does. Nina’s insights offered a stark reminder that, while public figures may be subject to harsh criticism, the emotional toll on their loved ones is just as significant.

A Call for Empathy and Respect

While Nina Day’s words were powerful, they also served as a call to action for fans and the general public. Her message was one of empathy and respect, urging people to remember the human element behind the personas of public figures. “It’s easy to forget that these are real people with families, feelings, and personal lives,” she said. “What we can all do, as fans and as people, is be more mindful in how we communicate and treat others—whether we agree with them or not.”

Her perspective resonates in a broader cultural context, where the increasing dehumanization of public figures has led to a toxic online environment. Death threats and hate speech, while not new phenomena, have become more prevalent as social media has given people a platform to voice their grievances anonymously. The culture of instant criticism has taken its toll on athletes, coaches, and their families, and Nina Day’s comments shed light on the need for greater accountability in how fans express their opinions.

By showing compassion toward those who lash out in anger, Nina Day was also calling for a change in the way we interact with each other, especially in the world of sports. “I know there will always be passion in college football,” she said. “But I hope we can all find a way to channel that passion in a more positive way—one that uplifts and supports, rather than tears down.”

The Impact of Nina Day’s Comments

Nina Day’s candid comments have had a ripple effect, sparking important conversations about the mental and emotional health of public figures, especially in the world of sports. Her ability to approach a deeply troubling issue with such grace and empathy has set a powerful example for others who find themselves under public scrutiny. Rather than allowing herself and her family to become consumed by anger or fear, Nina chose to rise above the negativity and focus on the positives—the love and support of her family and the resilience of those around her.

For Ryan Day, knowing that his wife has such a strong and compassionate perspective on the challenges they face together may help him remain grounded as he prepares for the biggest game of his career. For fans, Nina’s message serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy in an era where harsh words and actions often take center stage. In the end, her unexpected perspective on death threats is a powerful reminder that, in the world of college football and beyond, we are all human, and kindness should be the foundation upon which we build our communities.