The claim that Ryan Day was “born on third base” at Ohio State will only be strengthened by his admission.

The Claim that Ryan Day Was “Born on Third Base” at Ohio State Will Only Be Strengthened by His Admission

In the world of sports, the pressure on head coaches is always immense. They are expected to lead their teams to success, win championships, and justify their multimillion-dollar contracts. In the world of college football, no program comes with more weight, scrutiny, and expectations than Ohio State. With a rich history of success, including national championships, countless conference titles, and a proud fan base, the head coach at Ohio State is always in the spotlight.

Ryan Day, who became Ohio State’s head coach in 2019 after Urban Meyer’s retirement, has had a fairly remarkable start to his tenure. Under Day’s leadership, the Buckeyes have maintained their position as one of the elite programs in college football, continuing to compete for Big Ten titles and national championships. However, with great success comes great scrutiny, and in Day’s case, a particular criticism has followed him from the beginning of his tenure. This criticism is often summed up with the phrase: “Ryan Day was born on third base.”

The phrase, often used in reference to Day’s seemingly seamless transition into the role of Ohio State’s head coach, suggests that he inherited a program that was already primed for success, with a roster full of talent, a program rich in resources, and a history of winning. Critics argue that Day’s success is not a result of his own merits, but rather the product of the environment he walked into—a team ready to win before he even arrived.

Recently, Ryan Day made an admission that could further fuel this criticism and potentially strengthen the claim that he had, in fact, “been born on third base” at Ohio State. In this article, we will explore this claim, Day’s admission, and whether this criticism is fair or overly simplistic.

Ryan Day’s Arrival at Ohio State

When Ryan Day was hired as Ohio State’s head coach in 2019, he was stepping into a program that had been a perennial national title contender under Urban Meyer. Meyer, one of the most successful and respected head coaches in college football history, had built a powerhouse at Ohio State, with a loaded roster, an elite recruiting pipeline, and an established winning culture.

Day’s journey to the Ohio State job was relatively quick. After serving as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Meyer, Day had already established himself as a talented offensive mind and a rising star in the coaching world. His work with the Buckeyes’ offense, particularly with quarterback Dwayne Haskins, had earned him significant attention. When Meyer announced his retirement in 2018, the Ohio State athletic department wasted no time in elevating Day to the head coach position.

From the outside looking in, Day’s transition into the top job appeared almost effortless. He inherited a team that had just won the Big Ten Championship, boasted a roster full of NFL talent, and had a stable of elite recruits ready to step into starting roles. Ohio State’s recruiting was in full swing, and Day didn’t have to spend years rebuilding the program; rather, he inherited an environment that was already set for success.

In many ways, Day’s position was enviable. While other coaches would have to spend seasons recruiting, rebuilding, and establishing their own program culture, Day was handed a polished product. He stepped into a well-oiled machine, a program that was already at the top of the college football landscape.

The Criticism: “Born on Third Base”

It is within this context that the claim that Ryan Day was “born on third base” comes into play. The phrase implies that Day didn’t have to endure the same struggles or rebuild a program from the ground up that many other coaches have faced. Instead, he entered a situation where success was almost a given—thanks to the previous work of Urban Meyer.

Critics argue that the level of success that Day has achieved in his short tenure as head coach should be viewed in light of the tremendous advantages he inherited. These advantages include:

• An Elite Roster: Ohio State’s roster, at the time of Day’s promotion, was loaded with future NFL talent. The Buckeyes had standout players on both sides of the ball, including Heisman candidates and multiple first-round draft picks. Day did not have to wait for recruiting classes to develop, as he inherited players who were already capable of competing for national titles.
• A Winning Culture: Under Urban Meyer, Ohio State had established one of the most successful programs in the country. The Buckeyes had won multiple Big Ten championships, played in several College Football Playoff appearances, and were perennial contenders for the national championship. Day stepped into a culture of success, where the expectation was to compete for championships every year.
• Established Recruiting Pipeline: Ohio State’s recruiting efforts under Meyer had been second to none. The Buckeyes were consistently ranked among the top teams in the country in recruiting, and Day didn’t have to rebuild relationships with high school coaches or players. The recruiting pipeline was already set in motion, making it easier for Day to maintain the success of the program.
• Program Stability: Ohio State is one of the most prestigious programs in college football, and it offers immense resources, state-of-the-art facilities, and a passionate fan base. Day walked into a situation with immense financial backing and institutional support, which made it easier to maintain a high level of success.

Given these factors, critics argue that Day’s ability to step into the head coach position and maintain success was not entirely his doing. His program, they argue, was already primed for greatness when he arrived. In essence, Day didn’t have to build a winning team from scratch; he was already handed a championship-caliber roster and a well-established culture of winning. To some, this makes his early success appear less impressive—almost as if he had inherited a situation that was already set for success.

Ryan Day’s Admission: Acknowledging the Advantages

Recently, Ryan Day made an admission that could only strengthen the criticism that he was “born on third base.” In interviews, Day candidly acknowledged the advantages he inherited when he took over the Ohio State program. He admitted that he had “inherited a great situation” and that the transition into the head coaching role was smoother than it might have been at other schools.

“I walked into a situation where there were so many great things already in place,” Day said. “The roster was loaded, the facilities were state-of-the-art, and the culture was one of winning. I didn’t have to start from scratch, and that made my job a lot easier. I’m thankful for the work that Urban Meyer and his staff did to get this program to the level it’s at, and my job is to continue that success.”

By acknowledging these advantages, Day has essentially admitted that his success as Ohio State’s head coach has been built on the foundation laid by his predecessor. This admission could easily be interpreted as an acknowledgment that his position at Ohio State was not the result of his own tireless efforts to build a program, but rather the product of the environment he walked into.

For critics of Day, this admission only serves to strengthen the claim that he was “born on third base.” While Day’s success is undeniable, the fact that he recognizes the advantages he had when taking over the program may give further credence to the argument that he inherited a program that was already primed for success.

The Complexity of the Criticism

While the criticism that Ryan Day was “born on third base” has some merit, it is important to acknowledge the complexity of this claim. Yes, Day walked into a situation where Ohio State was already one of the best programs in the country, but that does not mean he hasn’t added value to the program.

For one, Day’s offensive schemes have been a major part of Ohio State’s continued success. His work with quarterbacks like Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud has been exceptional, and his ability to adapt and modernize Ohio State’s offense has allowed the Buckeyes to remain one of the most potent offenses in college football. Day has put his stamp on the program by continuing to recruit elite talent and by developing players into NFL-caliber prospects.

Furthermore, Day’s leadership during challenging moments—whether it’s navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, managing the pressures of competing for national titles, or dealing with internal program issues—has shown his ability to lead and adapt. While he may have inherited a strong program, he has certainly played a significant role in maintaining that success.