Details of Ryan Day’s contract: Pay and the Ohio State football coach’s buyout

Ohio State football is one of the most prestigious programs in college football history. For years, the Buckeyes have dominated the Big Ten Conference and have remained consistently competitive at the national level. This sustained excellence has become a hallmark of the Ohio State program, and much of its success can be attributed to the leadership of head coach Ryan Day. With the 2025 college football season approaching, Ryan Day’s contract has been the subject of significant attention, with fans, analysts, and college football insiders closely watching any updates regarding his compensation and buyout terms.

Day, who took over as Ohio State’s head coach in 2018 following the retirement of Urban Meyer, has been highly successful in his tenure, leading the Buckeyes to multiple College Football Playoff appearances, Big Ten championships, and producing top-tier NFL talent. His offensive prowess has revitalized Ohio State’s offensive identity, making the Buckeyes one of the most explosive teams in college football. However, despite the high level of success, one key element that has remained elusive is a national championship—a feat that remains the ultimate goal for the program.

As Ryan Day has led Ohio State through a series of successful seasons, his contract has been a key focal point for the university. The intricacies of Day’s compensation package and buyout terms provide insights into the level of commitment that Ohio State has toward retaining their head coach and the expectations surrounding his future performance. This article will delve into the details of Ryan Day’s contract, his pay structure, and the terms of his buyout, highlighting the financial elements that influence both his and the program’s direction.

Ryan Day’s Current Contract and Pay Structure

As of 2024, Ryan Day’s contract extension has placed him among the highest-paid college football coaches in the nation. The Ohio State athletic department showed its commitment to Day by offering him a lucrative new deal that reflected his success and the increasing demands of coaching at a high-profile program like Ohio State. This extension was announced after a series of successful seasons for the Buckeyes, but it also came with a sense of urgency—while Day had led Ohio State to multiple College Football Playoff appearances, the ultimate goal of winning a national championship had not yet been realized.

The key terms of Day’s 2024 contract extension have been widely reported, with the coach now set to earn an average annual salary of approximately $10.5 million over the course of the deal. This pay structure is indicative of the stature of the program he oversees, as Ohio State consistently competes for championships and invests heavily in the success of its football team. With the increasing popularity of college football and the rising financial stakes due to television deals, sponsorships, and other revenue streams, Day’s contract reflects the high expectations that the university has for him.

Under the terms of his new deal, Day’s base salary is expected to be around $2.5 million per year. While this base salary is substantial, the bulk of Day’s compensation comes from additional incentives tied to performance and success on the field. For example, his contract includes bonuses for winning Big Ten championships, making the College Football Playoff, and securing national championships. These performance-based bonuses ensure that Day is rewarded for keeping the Buckeyes at the top of college football, and they also provide him with an incentive to continue improving his program year after year.

Incentives and Performance Bonuses

A key aspect of Ryan Day’s compensation package is the performance-based incentives. While Day’s base salary provides him with financial security, it is the bonuses that provide the additional earning potential based on the success of the Ohio State football program. These incentives are structured to reward Day for reaching key milestones, and they reflect the goals that the university has set for the football program.

1. College Football Playoff and National Championship Performance: One of the most significant bonuses in Day’s contract is tied to the team’s success in the College Football Playoff (CFP). A CFP appearance, particularly a spot in the national championship game, provides Day with substantial financial rewards. Day’s contract includes performance-based incentives of $500,000 for a CFP appearance, $1 million for a national championship appearance, and an additional $1 million for winning a national title. These incentives highlight Ohio State’s goal of competing for national championships and underscore the significance of the CFP to the university’s overall financial success.
2. Big Ten Championship: In addition to the CFP bonuses, Ryan Day is also rewarded for his success within the Big Ten Conference. If Ohio State wins the Big Ten championship under Day’s leadership, he is eligible for a bonus of $250,000. This reflects the importance of conference championships as a benchmark for success and also ensures that Day remains focused on maintaining Ohio State’s dominance within the Big Ten.
3. Academic Success and Player Development: Day’s contract also includes incentives tied to the academic performance and development of his players. These include bonuses for achieving a high team GPA and for the academic success of individual players. Additionally, if a player wins a major individual award, such as the Heisman Trophy, Day is eligible for a bonus. This incentive structure encourages Day to develop his players both on and off the field, ensuring that the Buckeyes are not only successful in football but also in academics.
4. TV and Sponsorship Revenue: Another interesting component of Day’s contract is the inclusion of revenue-sharing bonuses based on television and sponsorship deals. Ohio State is one of the most lucrative programs in college football, and Day’s contract reflects the financial success of the program. As part of his contract, Day receives a share of the revenue generated from Ohio State’s lucrative media rights deals, including television broadcasts, sponsorship agreements, and merchandise sales. This component ensures that Day’s financial incentives are tied to the long-term success of the program’s financial health.

Buyout Terms: What Happens if Day Leaves Ohio State?

One of the most important elements of any coaching contract is the buyout clause—the terms under which a coach can leave the program or be dismissed, and the financial consequences of such a departure. Ryan Day’s contract includes a buyout clause that details the amount of money Ohio State would be required to pay if they were to part ways with him before the expiration of his contract.

The buyout clause in Day’s contract is designed to be a deterrent to any potential suitors, ensuring that the Buckeyes maintain control over their head coach’s future. Should Ohio State choose to terminate Day’s contract without cause, the university would be required to pay a significant buyout amount. The exact buyout figure is reported to be in the range of $30 million, reflecting the value of Day’s contract and the potential costs to the program if they were to part ways with their head coach.

On the other hand, if Day were to leave Ohio State to take another job—such as with an NFL team or another college program—his buyout terms would also be enforced. Day’s buyout is structured to protect Ohio State from losing their head coach to another school or professional organization. However, if Day leaves voluntarily, he would be required to pay a portion of the buyout, depending on the timing and circumstances of his departure.

The Future of Ryan Day and Ohio State

With his new contract in place, Ryan Day enters the 2025 season with both financial security and the weight of high expectations. The Ohio State football program has established itself as one of the most successful in college football, and Day is expected to maintain this standard of excellence. With his lucrative contract, performance incentives, and buyout terms, Ryan Day has solidified his position as one of the most powerful coaches in the sport.

However, despite the rewards of a substantial contract, the pressure to win a national championship remains paramount. Ohio State fans and the university administration expect nothing less than a national title. Day’s ability to navigate the increasing pressures of recruiting, the growing influence of NIL deals, and the demands of maintaining a championship-level program will define his legacy at Ohio State. His contract extension ensures that he has the resources and the support to succeed, but it also ensures that his path forward will be filled with high expectations and scrutiny.

In the end, Ryan Day’s compensation package and contract terms provide insight into both the financial side of college football and the level of commitment that Ohio State has made to securing its place among the elite programs in the nation. With the buyout clause and performance incentives in place, Day has the financial support to thrive—but he also knows that the ultimate reward lies in leading the Buckeyes to a national championship, fulfilling the legacy of one of college football’s most storied programs.