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

The college football world is always in a state of flux—coaching changes, contract extensions, and high-profile departures constantly shape the narrative. However, when a major coaching departure takes place at a program as storied and high-profile as Ohio State, it often leads to a broader conversation about leadership, accountability, and the financial commitments that universities make to their head coaches. Such is the case with Ryan Day, head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, who recently signed a massive contract extension after a disappointing loss in the College Football Playoff and amidst the backdrop of an exodus from his coaching staff.

Pat McAfee, the outspoken former NFL punter turned media personality, did not hold back in criticizing Day’s large contract extension. McAfee, known for his candid and often controversial opinions, raised concerns about Ohio State’s decision to lock Day into a deal worth millions, questioning the rationale behind rewarding a coach who had not yet delivered the ultimate prize: a national championship. In the wake of coaching staff changes, McAfee’s remarks drew attention and ignited a debate that’s familiar to many in college football: How much is too much for a coach who hasn’t delivered?

In this article, we’ll break down the issues surrounding Ryan Day’s contract extension, McAfee’s critique, and why the debate about Day’s tenure at Ohio State is larger than just the size of his paycheck. We’ll look at the expectations facing Day as head coach, the broader financial landscape of college football coaching salaries, and the way McAfee’s commentary highlights the tension between success and long-term sustainability at a program like Ohio State.

Ryan Day’s Career at Ohio State: Success, But Not Enough

Ryan Day’s tenure at Ohio State has been one of steady success, but it’s also been one that has left some Buckeyes fans hungry for more. Day took over as head coach in 2019 following the retirement of Urban Meyer, one of the most successful and polarizing figures in college football history. Day inherited a program that was well-established as a perennial powerhouse in the Big Ten and had one of the most talented rosters in the country. Expectations were immediately high, and the pressure to win big was intense.

From the outset, Day met those expectations, leading the Buckeyes to an impressive 34-4 record in his first three seasons. He took the team to the College Football Playoff in 2019, just his first year at the helm, and again in 2020. The Buckeyes were a force in the Big Ten, routinely dominating their conference rivals, and Day’s high-octane offense, led by quarterback Justin Fields, made Ohio State a juggernaut on offense.

However, despite these successes, there is one glaring hole in Day’s résumé: a national championship. In his first season in charge, Ohio State lost in the College Football Playoff semifinal to Clemson, a devastating defeat that kept Day from securing his first national title. The following year, in 2020, Ohio State made it to the national championship game but fell short against Alabama in a loss that underscored how difficult it is to topple the juggernauts of college football. Since then, the Buckeyes have consistently been in the mix for the College Football Playoff but have failed to secure another playoff berth in 2022 or make a return to the championship game.

The lack of a national title, especially considering the talent Day has had at his disposal, has been a point of frustration for Ohio State fans. While Day has delivered strong regular-season performances, the Buckeyes’ inability to win the biggest games—especially the ones that determine championship glory—has left a gap in the program’s legacy.

The Pressure on Ryan Day: Expectations at Ohio State

Ohio State football is one of the most successful and storied programs in college football history, boasting eight national championships and a reputation for dominance in the Big Ten. With that prestige comes immense pressure. The expectations for Day as Ohio State’s head coach have been set high, and it’s clear that the ultimate goal is not just conference titles or playoff berths but national championships. In that sense, Day’s failure to deliver the biggest prize has put him under the microscope.

One of the primary criticisms of Day’s tenure, despite his regular-season success, is his inability to win the Big Ten Championship on a consistent basis, particularly in the years following his 2020 title game appearance. More specifically, his losses to Michigan in 2021 and 2022 were seen as major setbacks, as the rivalry with Michigan is one of the most fierce and longstanding in college football. A program of Ohio State’s stature is expected to not just beat Michigan but to dominate it, something that had become the norm under previous coaches like Urban Meyer.

Given the riches and resources available to Day, the notion that he has not yet delivered a national title is especially troubling to some fans and critics alike. The College Football Playoff has become the measuring stick for elite programs, and in that regard, Ohio State has become a regular participant. Yet, for all the excitement surrounding the program, the championship banner has remained elusive.

In this climate of expectations, the decision by Ohio State’s administration to extend Day’s contract and increase his compensation has raised more than a few eyebrows. While some see the extension as a recognition of Day’s successes and the stability he has brought to the program, others believe that the extension is premature and lacks the proper accountability given Day’s failure to bring home the national championship.

Pat McAfee’s Critique: A Voice of Discontent

Pat McAfee’s criticism of Ryan Day’s contract extension struck a chord with many college football fans, particularly those who share McAfee’s frustration over the large salaries that coaches are now commanding, especially when they fail to meet lofty expectations.

McAfee, known for his sharp wit and candid opinions, took aim at Day’s contract extension in the wake of some key departures from his coaching staff, particularly defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson. The loss of these coaches, who were integral to the success of the program, raised concerns about whether Day’s program could continue its success without key contributors. McAfee argued that while Day had the support and financial resources to keep Ohio State among the nation’s elite, he had not yet delivered the ultimate prize that justifies such a lucrative contract.

McAfee’s stance is based on the fact that Day, despite his impressive regular-season records and ability to recruit elite talent, has not been able to secure the most important title in college football. And in McAfee’s view, money should be tied to performance—specifically, a national championship. As McAfee pointed out, while Day has excelled in building a competitive team year after year, the inability to get over the hump in big games has left some questioning whether Day is truly the man to lead Ohio State back to the promised land.

To McAfee, the argument is simple: If you’re being paid millions of dollars to win national championships, then you should be held accountable for delivering them. In McAfee’s view, Day’s lack of championship success—especially with such a loaded roster—has diminished the validity of his massive contract extension. It’s not a critique of Day as a coach or as a leader, but rather a critique of the inflated expectations that come with the kind of money and resources a coach like Day receives.

The Financial Landscape: College Football’s Coaching Salaries

McAfee’s criticism of Day’s contract extension cannot be viewed in isolation—it’s part of a broader conversation about the escalating salaries of college football coaches. The financial landscape of college football coaching contracts has become a major talking point, especially in the Power 5 conferences. Ryan Day’s extension is merely one example of the trend in which college football coaches are receiving multimillion-dollar contracts, often with hefty buyouts, bonuses, and incentives.

In the case of Day, his contract extension (which is reported to be worth over $9 million annually) is consistent with the growing trend of paying coaches handsomely to maintain a program’s competitiveness. However, with these large salaries comes greater scrutiny, especially when a program like Ohio State has the resources to pay such a figure. The financial commitment to a coach often reflects a program’s long-term confidence in that individual. But when the coach fails to meet the highest expectations, those large paydays can lead to uncomfortable questions about whether a coach’s performance justifies such an investment.

As McAfee and others have pointed out, the growing salaries for college football coaches are part of a larger conversation about the financial arms race that characterizes the sport. With television deals, NIL opportunities, and sponsorships becoming more lucrative for college programs, the emphasis on winning national championships has never been higher. Schools like Ohio State, with vast financial resources, expect to win titles, and coaches are being paid handsomely to achieve that goal.

In this climate, McAfee’s frustration is understandable: if a coach is receiving top-dollar compensation, they should be held to top-tier standards, including winning the ultimate prize.

 The Question of Accountability

Pat McAfee’s criticism of Ryan Day’s contract extension serves as a poignant reminder of the growing tension between financial commitment and tangible success in college football. While Ryan Day has done plenty to keep Ohio State among the nation’s elite, the lack of national championships and the recent coaching staff departures have left some questioning whether the massive financial investment is justified. In McAfee’s view, and in the view of many fans, **Ohio State needs a

championship** to validate the bet it has made on Day.

The question remains: Can Ryan Day live up to the expectations of a program as prestigious as Ohio State? If not, McAfee’s critique may be just the beginning of a much broader conversation about coaching accountability in college football’s new financial era.