Despite winning College Football Playoff National Championship, Ryan Day’s job may not be safe at Ohio State

Winning a College Football Playoff National Championship is the pinnacle of success for any college football program, a moment of glory that enshrines the head coach in history. For Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes, that achievement is one that many coaches can only dream of. Yet, despite his success on the field and his ability to recruit some of the best talent in the nation, Day’s job at Ohio State has come under increased scrutiny. The question is: Could Ryan Day’s job be in jeopardy, even after a national championship victory?

The short answer is yes. The intricacies of college football, especially at a program as storied as Ohio State, go far beyond just one championship or one great season. Ryan Day has experienced success, but he has also faced considerable challenges and frustrations along the way. The Buckeyes have been a constant contender, but they have also suffered significant setbacks. These setbacks, combined with mounting pressure from fans, boosters, and university officials, have led to increased talk about Day’s future, despite his recent triumph.

The Success of Ryan Day

Ryan Day took over the reins at Ohio State in 2019, succeeding Urban Meyer, one of the most successful and decorated coaches in college football history. The bar was set incredibly high from the start, and expectations were through the roof. Despite the immense pressure, Day has proven himself to be an outstanding coach. His first season saw the Buckeyes reach the College Football Playoff (CFP), and since then, the program has consistently remained one of the top teams in the nation.

Day has had remarkable success in several key areas:

1. Offensive Mastermind: Day’s offensive prowess is one of the main reasons for his success. His high-octane, fast-paced offense has helped Ohio State stay ahead of the competition. Under his leadership, Ohio State’s offense has been among the most explosive in the country, with quarterbacks like Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud thriving in Day’s system.
2. Recruiting: Day has continued to build on the strong recruiting foundation that Meyer established. He has brought in top-tier talent, particularly at quarterback, wide receiver, and running back, ensuring that Ohio State remains a dominant force in the Big Ten and a contender for national titles. The Buckeyes have consistently ranked in the top three of recruiting classes, landing some of the best players in the nation.
3. Program Stability: Since taking over, Day has kept Ohio State as one of the most stable programs in college football. The team consistently competes for Big Ten championships, and the Buckeyes have been perennial contenders in the playoff conversation.

Despite all this success, Day’s tenure has not been without its flaws. Ohio State fans and analysts have pointed out several areas where Day has faced criticism, and these criticisms have mounted in recent years.

The Biggest Criticisms of Ryan Day

Despite his achievements, there are a number of key areas where Ryan Day has faced criticism, and it is in these areas that the questions about his job security have emerged. Winning a national championship does not guarantee a coach’s long-term safety, particularly in a program like Ohio State, where expectations are sky-high. Here are some of the most significant critiques of Ryan Day’s tenure:

1. Failure to Win the Big Ten Title in Key Years

One of the biggest criticisms of Day’s tenure is his inability to consistently win the Big Ten Championship when it matters most. Despite the team’s success during the regular season, the Buckeyes have failed to win the conference title on several occasions during Day’s tenure. For a program like Ohio State, which has historically dominated the Big Ten, these failures have been hard to swallow for fans and boosters alike.

The Buckeyes have fallen short in several high-profile matchups, including the 2021 Big Ten Championship Game, where they were upset by Michigan. This was a particularly painful defeat, as Ohio State had dominated Michigan in recent years, and the rivalry loss added to the growing pressure on Day. Fans and critics alike have pointed to these setbacks as signs that Day’s teams sometimes falter under the weight of expectations, particularly in crucial games.

2. Struggles in the College Football Playoff

While Ohio State has been a regular fixture in the College Football Playoff, Day’s teams have not always performed to expectations once they get there. The Buckeyes have struggled in high-pressure games against elite competition. In 2020, Ohio State made the CFP Championship Game but was decisively beaten by Alabama. The loss highlighted concerns about the team’s ability to compete with the best programs in the nation.

Furthermore, in 2021, the Buckeyes were left out of the playoff entirely after losing to Michigan and failing to win the Big Ten. Even with a talented roster, the team was unable to secure a spot in the final four, which left fans and boosters frustrated. The inability to secure a national title, despite having one of the most talented teams in the country, has led many to question whether Day is capable of delivering the ultimate prize.

3. Defensive Issues

While Ryan Day is known for his offensive expertise, his tenure at Ohio State has been marred by defensive struggles. The Buckeyes’ defense, particularly under former defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs, has been inconsistent. Ohio State has faced issues with allowing big plays, struggling against physical teams, and having lapses in crucial moments during key games.

Despite making changes to the defensive staff and hiring new coordinators like Jim Knowles in 2022, the defense has continued to be a concern. Ohio State’s defensive issues have led to some tough losses, especially when facing high-powered offenses in playoff games. If Ohio State is to be considered a true national title contender year in and year out, it needs to fix its defensive woes. Fans and experts have started to ask whether Day is the right coach to oversee both sides of the ball, especially when his offensive success has not been complemented by a consistently strong defense.

4. Handling of Rivalry Games

While Ohio State’s overall success has been impressive, Day’s performance in rivalry games has also been under the microscope. The Michigan rivalry, in particular, has been a sore spot. In 2021, the Buckeyes were thoroughly beaten by Michigan in what was a must-win game for both teams. The defeat marked Ohio State’s first loss to Michigan in a decade, and it ended the Buckeyes’ run of dominance in the rivalry.

The loss to Michigan amplified concerns about Day’s ability to lead in critical games. Rivalry games often take on heightened significance in college football, and Ohio State’s inability to win in that critical situation raised questions about Day’s readiness for those intense pressure moments.

The Pressure from Fans and Boosters

Ohio State is one of the most successful and storied programs in college football history, and as a result, the pressure on its head coach is immense. The Buckeyes are expected to win championships every season, and anything short of a national title is often seen as a disappointment. While Day’s overall record and success are undeniably impressive, the frustrations of fans and boosters have reached a boiling point.

Ohio State has had several coaching legends, including Woody Hayes, Earle Bruce, and Urban Meyer. These coaches set a precedent of excellence and sustained success, and that legacy creates an environment where anything less than a national championship is seen as a failure. The expectations at Ohio State are unforgiving, and even winning a national championship does not automatically secure a coach’s long-term future.

In addition to fans, Ohio State’s boosters have a significant influence on the program’s direction. Many of these donors have been vocal in their expectations for the team to win national championships regularly, and the pressure to meet those demands is always intense. Ohio State’s athletic department and leadership will be looking at Day’s performance with an eye toward the future. The next few seasons will likely determine whether Day can continue to deliver championships consistently or whether a change is necessary.

What’s Next for Ryan Day?

For Ryan Day, the road ahead is not as certain as it may appear. Despite winning a national championship, the criticisms of his program’s performance in critical moments will continue to follow him. Ohio State’s aspirations are lofty, and the pressure to deliver will always be intense.

Day will need to prove that his program can consistently win big games, dominate in rivalry matchups, and compete for national titles on a regular basis. The defensive issues will also need to be addressed, as the Buckeyes cannot afford to be a one-dimensional team in the modern college football landscape.