Ryan Day, the head coach of Ohio State, appears on the Joel Klatt Show for a lengthy chat.

Ryan Day on the Joel Klatt Show: A Deep Dive into Ohio State Football, Leadership, and the Future of College Football

In the ever-evolving world of college football, few programs are as storied and high-profile as Ohio State. For years, the Buckeyes have been at the forefront of the sport, producing championship-caliber teams, outstanding players, and passionate fanbases. At the helm of the program is head coach Ryan Day, a man who has taken over from Urban Meyer and successfully kept Ohio State at the pinnacle of college football. Recently, Day sat down for an in-depth conversation on the Joel Klatt Show, offering fans and analysts alike a rare behind-the-scenes look at his leadership, the state of the program, and his vision for the future.

The Beginning of the Conversation: A Look Back at Ohio State’s Success

Ryan Day began his conversation with Joel Klatt by reflecting on the remarkable success Ohio State has experienced in recent years. Since Day took over the program in 2019, the Buckeyes have been consistently competing for national championships, with multiple Big Ten titles to their name and regular appearances in the College Football Playoff. Under Day’s leadership, the program has continued the legacy of success that Urban Meyer built during his tenure. However, Day was quick to credit the contributions of those who came before him, emphasizing that the Ohio State football culture had already been firmly established by Meyer and other coaches before him.

“Ohio State has a rich history of success, and it’s important to acknowledge the incredible foundation that Coach Meyer built here,” Day said. “When I came in, the players were already used to competing at the highest level. My job was to continue that momentum, push for improvement, and try to elevate the program even further.”

Day’s calm and humble demeanor during this segment made it clear that while he takes pride in the success of his teams, he understands that college football is a collaborative effort. It’s about maintaining a winning tradition while innovating and adapting to the changing dynamics of the sport.

Adjusting to the Modern College Football Landscape

As Day and Klatt continued their conversation, the topic shifted to the rapidly changing landscape of college football. With the advent of the College Football Playoff, the rise of the transfer portal, and the introduction of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, college football is experiencing a period of significant transformation. Day provided an insightful perspective on how these changes have affected both his role as head coach and the broader college football community.

“College football is always evolving, and we have to be able to adapt,” Day remarked. “The transfer portal and NIL have brought about new challenges and opportunities. It’s a balancing act, trying to build a team while keeping it together with all the moving parts. You want to build a culture and bring in the right people, but you also have to stay on top of the changing rules and landscape.”

The transfer portal, in particular, has been a game-changer for many college football programs. Teams are now able to bring in experienced players from other schools, but this also means that roster stability can be harder to maintain. Day spoke about how Ohio State has been active in the transfer portal but is also careful not to lose sight of the core values that make the program special.

“We’ve had some success with the portal, but we try to be strategic,” Day said. “It’s about finding the right fit for our culture and system. We’re not just looking for talent; we want people who are going to be committed to Ohio State and to what we’re building here.”

NIL, too, has fundamentally shifted the college football landscape, providing athletes with unprecedented financial opportunities. Day acknowledged that NIL deals are a reality that all college programs must face, but he stressed that Ohio State remains focused on providing a holistic experience for its student-athletes.

“We want our guys to be able to take advantage of NIL, but it’s important to remember that we’re here to develop them not just as football players but as people,” Day said. “We want to make sure that when they leave Ohio State, they’re prepared for life beyond football, whether that’s in business, media, or anything else. It’s about providing them with opportunities for growth both on and off the field.”

Leadership and Player Development: The Ohio State Way

One of the standout themes in Day’s conversation with Joel Klatt was his approach to leadership and player development. Ohio State has long been known for producing top-tier talent, and Day has carried on that tradition, developing players who go on to excel in the NFL. However, Day emphasized that the development of a well-rounded player—one who is not only a great athlete but also a strong leader and person—is at the heart of Ohio State’s success.

“When we talk about development at Ohio State, it’s not just about football,” Day explained. “We’re building leaders. We want our players to be the best version of themselves, both on the field and in life. A lot of that starts with the relationships we build with them. If they trust us, we can help them become better athletes, better teammates, and better individuals.”

This focus on leadership is evident in Day’s approach to coaching. He talked about the importance of developing a strong culture within the locker room, one where players hold each other accountable and support each other. Day’s leadership style is often described as calm, measured, and collaborative. He believes in empowering his players, giving them the tools and resources they need to succeed, and providing them with the autonomy to make decisions on the field.

“We talk a lot about being a family here at Ohio State,” Day said. “When you have a tight-knit group, you can overcome anything. We focus on teaching life lessons through football. The game teaches you a lot about perseverance, about working together, and about making sacrifices. These are lessons that are going to serve our players long after their playing days are over.”

Day also addressed how the program is continually evolving to keep pace with the changing dynamics of college football. While Ohio State has always been a talent-rich program, Day emphasized the importance of staying innovative, whether it’s through advanced analytics, new training methods, or improved game strategies.

“Technology and data are changing the way we approach the game,” Day said. “We’re always looking for ways to stay ahead of the curve. From nutrition to recovery to how we approach practices, we’re always trying to push the envelope to make our players better.”

Ohio State’s Current State and the Road Ahead

As the conversation progressed, Joel Klatt asked Day about the current state of the Ohio State football team. With the 2024 season on the horizon, expectations are high for the Buckeyes, and Day provided a candid assessment of his team’s strengths and areas for improvement.

“Every year is a new challenge,” Day said. “We’ve got a lot of talent on this team, but we’ve also got a lot of work to do. We’ve got some young players who are stepping into big roles, and we’re excited to see how they develop. But as always, we’re focused on improvement every day.”

Day acknowledged that while Ohio State is consistently among the best in the country, they face fierce competition in the Big Ten, particularly from programs like Michigan and Penn State. He expressed respect for those teams but reiterated that Ohio State’s goal is always to be the best in the conference and compete for national championships.

“Michigan and Penn State are great programs, and we know we’ll have to be at our best to beat them,” Day said. “But our standard here at Ohio State is to win championships, and that’s always our focus. We’re working every day to put ourselves in the best position to win.”

Day also spoke about the importance of continuing to recruit top-tier talent. Ohio State has long been a powerhouse in recruiting, and Day highlighted the importance of maintaining that level of excellence.

“Recruiting is the lifeblood of any program,” Day explained. “We want to bring in players who fit our culture and can contribute right away. It’s a year-round effort, and we’re always looking for the next great Buckeye.”

The Future of College Football: Playoff Expansion and Change

As the conversation neared its conclusion, Klatt asked Day about the future of college football, particularly in regard to the expansion of the College Football Playoff. The addition of more teams to the playoff format has been a hot topic for years, and with the 12-team format set to begin in 2024, Day shared his thoughts on the changes.

“I think the expanded playoff is going to be great for the sport,” Day said. “It’ll give more teams a chance to compete for a national title, and it’ll create more excitement for fans. But at the same time, it’s important to keep the integrity of the regular season. Every game counts, and we can’t lose sight of what makes college football special.”

Day’s comments reflected a sense of optimism about the future of the sport, tempered with a deep respect for the traditions that have made college football what it is today. He believes the expansion of the playoff will benefit both the teams and the fans but stressed that the focus must remain on providing a fair and competitive environment for all teams.