In light of the Buckeyes’ coaching departure, Pat McAfee criticizes Ryan Day’s large extension.

In recent weeks, Ohio State University football has been at the center of a heated discussion regarding the future of their head coach, Ryan Day. The controversy stems from the Buckeyes’ recent coaching departure, as well as the hefty contract extension that Day received from the university, which has raised more than a few eyebrows. Among the most vocal critics of this decision is Pat McAfee, the former NFL punter turned media personality, who has weighed in on the situation, offering a sharp critique of both the coaching departure and the large extension given to Day. McAfee’s views have added fuel to the fire, prompting fans, analysts, and even former players to reflect on what this means for Ohio State football as the team moves forward.

The Backdrop: Ohio State Football and Ryan Day

Ryan Day has been at the helm of Ohio State football since 2019, following in the footsteps of the legendary Urban Meyer. In his short tenure, Day has already established himself as one of the top coaches in the nation. Under his leadership, Ohio State has consistently been one of the most dominant teams in the country, winning multiple Big Ten championships and earning regular spots in the College Football Playoff. However, despite these achievements, Day’s tenure has been marred by two key issues: a pair of losses to Michigan in 2021 and 2022 and, most notably, the team’s inability to win the national title.

The Buckeyes’ loss to Michigan in 2022 was particularly damaging. The defeat not only ended Ohio State’s Big Ten title hopes but also marked the second consecutive year they had fallen to their archrivals. This was an unprecedented slump for Ohio State, as the team had long prided itself on dominating the rivalry with Michigan. Despite finishing with an impressive record in 2022, the loss left fans and analysts questioning whether Ryan Day could truly lead Ohio State to the promised land.

Yet, despite these setbacks, Ohio State decided to reward Day with a massive contract extension. This decision came just days after the Buckeyes’ disappointing performance in the College Football Playoff and has been met with mixed reactions. The contract extension, reportedly worth over $10 million per year, makes Day one of the highest-paid coaches in college football. The timing of this deal, in the wake of the team’s struggles against Michigan and its failure to win a national championship, has raised some legitimate questions about the direction of the program.

Pat McAfee’s Critique: A Criticism of the Extension

Pat McAfee, who has developed a reputation for his no-holds-barred commentary, wasted no time in weighing in on the situation. In his typical unfiltered fashion, McAfee blasted Ohio State for giving Day such a large extension, citing the team’s inability to win the big games when it mattered most. On his popular podcast, McAfee questioned the logic behind rewarding a coach who had yet to deliver a national championship or even consistently defeat Michigan.

“The Ohio State Buckeyes are a premier program. They don’t just want to be good; they want to be the best,” McAfee said during one of his podcast episodes. “Ryan Day has had success, sure. But the fact is, when you look at the big games, when you look at the playoff, when you look at the losses to Michigan, what has he really delivered? Yet they hand him a massive extension. What are we doing here?”

McAfee’s critique was not just about Day’s record but also about the expectations at Ohio State. The Buckeyes are a program that has long been associated with national championships and conference dominance. Under Urban Meyer, Ohio State consistently met those expectations, winning the 2014 national championship and frequently appearing in the playoff. Day, by contrast, has yet to deliver that elusive national title and has struggled to find the same level of success in the rivalry with Michigan. In McAfee’s eyes, that warranted some level of skepticism regarding Day’s worthiness of such a high-paying contract.

The former punter also questioned the timing of the extension. Given the Buckeyes’ failures in the most important games of the season, McAfee argued that Ohio State may have been premature in securing Day for the long term. He suggested that the program could have taken a more measured approach, waiting until the 2024 season (or even beyond) to decide whether Day was the right man to lead the team moving forward.

“What’s the rush?” McAfee asked. “They gave him this huge extension after a season where they didn’t get it done. Sure, he’s been good, but at Ohio State, being good isn’t good enough. They expect greatness, and right now, Ryan Day is on the clock.”

The Debate: The Importance of Continuity vs. Accountability

McAfee’s comments have sparked a larger debate about the balance between continuity and accountability in college football. On one hand, there is a strong argument to be made for continuity in leadership. Ryan Day has undoubtedly done a solid job rebuilding the Ohio State program since taking over for Urban Meyer. The team has been consistently competitive, and Day’s offensive schemes have been among the best in the country.

However, the argument against Day’s extension centers around the fact that Ohio State is a program that demands excellence, especially in the postseason. The Buckeyes have not won a national championship since 2014, and with their talent pool and resources, many feel that Ohio State should be contending for a title every year. The failure to beat Michigan in consecutive seasons, especially after the team had dominated the rivalry for years, is seen as a significant shortcoming. The debate, then, becomes about whether Day should be afforded the benefit of the doubt, given his overall success, or whether the program needs to see more tangible results in big moments.

Some supporters of the extension argue that Ryan Day’s overall record at Ohio State speaks for itself. They point to his 49-6 overall record and his ability to recruit some of the best talent in the country. Under his leadership, Ohio State’s offense has been a juggernaut, producing elite quarterbacks like Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud, both of whom are now in the NFL. Furthermore, despite the disappointing losses to Michigan and the playoff shortcomings, Day’s teams have consistently been in the hunt for championships, which is a feat in itself.

Others, however, believe that Ryan Day’s inability to win the big games – particularly against Michigan and in the College Football Playoff – suggests that perhaps a change in leadership is needed. There is also a growing sentiment that the pressure on Day will only continue to build, and that if the team does not win a national championship in the next few seasons, the massive extension may come to be seen as a regrettable decision.

The Impact of the Extension on Ohio State’s Future

In light of McAfee’s criticism, it’s important to look at what Ryan Day’s extension means for Ohio State’s future. The contract extension ensures that Day will remain at Ohio State for the foreseeable future, which gives the program some stability. Stability is important in recruiting, player development, and maintaining the program’s standing in college football. For recruits, knowing that Day is locked in for several more years might make Ohio State an even more attractive destination.

However, the extension also places more pressure on Day to deliver immediate results. With this lucrative contract comes the expectation that Day will lead Ohio State to a national championship. Anything less could result in significant scrutiny and calls for change. In many ways, Day is now in a similar position to that of some of his peers at other elite programs: a coach with a proven track record but who has yet to deliver the ultimate prize. The pressure on Day will only grow as the 2024 season and beyond unfold.

For the Buckeyes, the key question now is whether Day can finally get over the hump and bring Ohio State its first national championship in nearly a decade. The road to the College Football Playoff will be full of challenges, with the rivalry against Michigan and the ever-competitive Big Ten standing in the way.

Conclusion

In the end, Pat McAfee’s critique of Ryan Day’s contract extension highlights the ongoing tension between success and expectations at Ohio State. McAfee’s comments underscore a feeling among some Buckeye fans and analysts that, while Day has had success, the program’s lofty goals require more than just good seasons – they require championships. McAfee’s call for accountability, in many ways, reflects the high standards that Ohio State fans have long held for their team.

As the 2024 season approaches, all eyes will be on Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Will the team continue to build on its success and reach new heights, or will the pressure to win a national championship finally become too much? For Day, the stakes have never been higher, and whether he can deliver the elusive national title will likely determine his legacy at Ohio State. Whether McAfee’s criticism is warranted or not, one thing is certain – the 2024 season will be a defining year for both Ryan Day and Ohio State football.