Ohio State’s Ryan Day Receives Major National Take Ahead of 2025 Season
Ohio State’s Ryan Day Receives Major National Take Ahead of 2025 Season
As the 2025 season draws closer, the spotlight on Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has never been more intense. Day, who has built an impressive resume since taking over the Buckeyes’ football program in 2019, is now on the cusp of another critical season. Ohio State football, one of the premier programs in college football, has long been in the national conversation, but with Day at the helm, the expectations have reached a new level. With national media outlets and analysts weighing in, Day is entering the 2025 season with a wave of national attention and a growing understanding of what this season could mean for his legacy and the future of Ohio State football.
Day’s tenure at Ohio State has been marked by consistent success, impressive recruiting, and high-profile victories. However, despite winning consistently in the regular season, there has always been an underlying pressure surrounding Day’s ability to win the big games, particularly in the College Football Playoff (CFP). Ohio State has reached the CFP under Day multiple times, but a national championship has eluded him thus far. This looming question of whether Day can take Ohio State to the pinnacle of college football has dominated conversations about his coaching future.
With the 2025 season approaching, a mix of excitement, pressure, and anticipation surrounds Day and the Buckeyes. Here’s an in-depth look at the major national take on Ryan Day as he prepares for what could be the most important season of his career.
Ryan Day’s Journey to Ohio State
Before we dive into what lies ahead for Day in 2025, it’s worth reflecting on his rise through the ranks. Ryan Day’s coaching career began with a series of strategic moves, all leading him to Ohio State, where he was appointed as head coach in 2019 following the retirement of Urban Meyer. Under Meyer, Ohio State had become one of the most dominant programs in the country, winning national championships and consistently competing for Big Ten titles. When Day took over, he inherited a well-oiled machine, but the transition came with immense expectations.
His first season as head coach was one of the most successful in Ohio State’s history. The Buckeyes finished with a 13-1 record and reached the CFP, where they were controversially eliminated in a heartbreaking semifinal loss to Clemson. Nonetheless, Day’s ability to seamlessly take over the program, maintain its excellence, and even improve upon it—particularly with his offense—impressed everyone. His relationship with star quarterback Justin Fields, and the program’s continued dominance, showcased his ability to lead at the highest level.
Over the next couple of years, Day continued to guide Ohio State to Big Ten championships, and his offensive schemes became one of the most feared in college football. His offensive prowess, highlighted by his work with quarterbacks and playcalling, has earned him a reputation as one of the most innovative minds in the game. Day’s recruiting also ensured that Ohio State remained at the top, bringing in elite talent year after year. However, despite all the regular-season success, questions remained about his ability to secure the most coveted prize: a national championship.
The Growing Pressure on Ryan Day
Although Ryan Day has proven to be a capable and successful head coach, the mounting pressure to win a national championship has cast a shadow over his tenure. The College Football Playoff has become the benchmark for success in college football, and while Ohio State has reached the CFP multiple times under Day’s leadership, the Buckeyes have yet to capture the ultimate prize.
Day’s struggles in high-profile postseason games, especially against rival teams like Alabama, Georgia, and Clemson, have left some doubting his ability to win when it matters most. A 2021 loss to Alabama in the CFP National Championship, and a 2022 loss to Georgia in the semifinals, have been particularly hard to swallow for Buckeyes fans who expect nothing less than championship glory.
What’s particularly striking is the consistency with which Ohio State has been able to dominate during the regular season under Day, only to fall short in key postseason matchups. The inability to overcome the toughest of opponents in the biggest games has created a sense of frustration among fans and analysts alike. For all of Day’s success, the national championship has remained elusive. Many have started to view the upcoming 2025 season as a pivotal year for Day’s legacy.
The National Take: 2025 Is Ryan Day’s Make-or-Break Year
National analysts and commentators are already framing the 2025 season as a critical year for Ryan Day. This year could shape his legacy, either solidifying him as a top-tier head coach capable of leading Ohio State to a national championship or setting the stage for increased scrutiny and even potential calls for change.
The consensus is clear: the 2025 season is a make-or-break year for Day. Several factors contribute to this increased level of pressure, and the expectations are set to an almost unreachable level.
1. Elite Talent and Recruiting
One of the main reasons why national pundits are putting such heavy expectations on Day is the sheer talent he has at his disposal in 2025. Ohio State’s recruiting under Day has been nothing short of spectacular. The 2025 roster is expected to feature an elite group of athletes, especially on offense. With a top-tier quarterback likely to lead the offense and a host of future NFL prospects across the field, Ohio State will enter the season with one of the most talented teams in the country.
If Day is unable to win with this level of talent, it will raise serious questions about his ability to take the next step. Ohio State fans expect championships when their program recruits at the highest level year after year, and the pressure on Day to deliver that championship has never been higher.
2. Big Ten Dominance and Rivalries
The Buckeyes’ long-standing dominance in the Big Ten, including a strong record in the conference championship game, has also raised the stakes for Day. Ohio State is widely expected to once again compete for a Big Ten title in 2025. The rivalry with Michigan, in particular, looms large. After a disappointing loss to Michigan in 2022, which ended the Buckeyes’ chances at a playoff berth, the 2025 season will be an opportunity for Day to prove that his program can consistently beat their biggest rival, especially on the biggest stages.
A loss to Michigan or failure to win the Big Ten title again would only serve to increase the pressure on Day’s job security and his standing as head coach. The expectations for Ohio State within the conference have reached new heights, and national observers are taking note of this dynamic as 2025 unfolds.
3. Championship Pedigree
The national championship trophy is the ultimate barometer for success in college football, and Day’s inability to secure one has become a talking point on a national scale. In a sport where coaches like Nick Saban, Dabo Swinney, and Kirby Smart have cemented their legacies with multiple championships, Day’s failure to secure a national title raises questions about his ability to lead a program to the pinnacle of success.
Many analysts believe that 2025 could be Day’s year to prove that he can navigate the intense postseason environment and win the most coveted prize. If he does not win the national championship in 2025 with the talent at his disposal, the national conversation surrounding his future will undoubtedly become more complicated.
4. Media and Fan Expectations
Ohio State is a program that carries immense media attention, and its fanbase demands nothing less than excellence. In a media landscape where college football is covered extensively, Day’s every move is under a microscope. A season of failure, particularly in March and early January, would result in heightened media scrutiny. Furthermore, the passionate Buckeyes fanbase would likely turn up the pressure if the team fails to meet expectations, potentially impacting Day’s standing within the program.
Ryan Day’s Legacy: What’s at Stake?
If Ryan Day is to secure his place in Ohio State’s storied history, the 2025 season presents a clear opportunity to do so. A national championship would affirm his place among the elite coaches in college football and elevate him to a level that even Urban Meyer struggled to reach. A victory in the 2025 College Football Playoff would not only solidify Day’s legacy at Ohio State but also ensure that he will be remembered as one of the most successful coaches in program history.
However, if the Buckeyes fall short again—whether it be to a bitter rival, a tough playoff opponent, or an unexpected upset—the national perception of Day will change. Analysts and fans alike will begin to question whether he is the right coach to lead Ohio State to the ultimate glory.
