Former SEAL shared advice with Ohio State football team during Buckeyes’ national title run, Ryan Day says

Ohio State’s football program has long been one of the most storied and successful in college football. From its tradition of excellence on the field to the high-level coaching staff that helps shape its players both physically and mentally, Ohio State is a program that constantly strives for greatness. The road to the national championship is never easy, but the Buckeyes have been fortunate to have a unique advantage in their pursuit of excellence, especially in their most recent title run.

In a recent revelation by Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, it was shared that the Buckeyes’ national championship aspirations were fueled not only by hard work on the field but also by insights from outside of football — specifically, from a former U.S. Navy SEAL. During the run-up to their successful 2022 campaign, the team was fortunate enough to receive valuable advice from a former Navy SEAL, a perspective that Ryan Day believes played an important role in the Buckeyes’ mentality throughout the season.

The advice that the Ohio State football team received wasn’t related to strategy, playbooks, or drills, but rather focused on the mentality, discipline, and resilience required to push through adversity. This outside-the-sport influence was a key element in shaping the Buckeyes’ approach, helping them mentally prepare for the challenges that would come their way, particularly as they moved closer to their ultimate goal: a national championship.

This article will explore the significance of the advice shared by the former Navy SEAL, why it resonated so strongly with the Ohio State football team, and how Ryan Day leveraged this counsel to enhance his team’s mental toughness. We’ll also delve into the importance of mental preparation in sports, especially in the context of high-pressure situations like the College Football Playoff (CFP), and how these lessons have influenced the culture at Ohio State.

The Influence of Mental Toughness in College Football

Mental toughness is an attribute that’s often discussed but rarely emphasized in the same way that physical attributes like speed or strength are. For college football players, the game is as much about mental preparation as it is about physical prowess. When competing at the highest level, a player’s ability to stay focused, remain disciplined, and bounce back from adversity often separates the good teams from the great ones.

As any experienced coach will tell you, football games are rarely won based solely on talent. It is a team’s ability to handle adversity, respond to challenges, and play with mental fortitude that often determines success, particularly in high-stakes games. This is where the former Navy SEAL’s advice became invaluable to the Ohio State football team.

During the Buckeyes’ national title run, Coach Day emphasized the importance of mental toughness throughout the team’s preparation. With the season’s highs and lows—victories, losses, injuries, and the weight of expectations—Ohio State’s players needed to stay strong in their minds as much as they did in their bodies. The SEAL’s insights about resilience, leadership, and discipline gave Ohio State’s players a new framework for navigating these challenges.

Navy SEALs are known for their intense mental and physical endurance, often being placed in some of the most extreme environments on the planet. For SEALs, success is not just about strength or training; it’s about maintaining a sense of mental clarity under pressure, pushing past pain, and achieving goals despite setbacks. This was exactly the type of mentality that Ryan Day knew could help the Ohio State players as they faced challenges in their pursuit of a national title.

The Role of the Navy SEAL’s Advice

The connection between the Ohio State football program and the former Navy SEAL was facilitated by Coach Day, who has consistently sought ways to elevate his team’s mental preparation and leadership. As a former coach at Boston College and with an extensive background in mentoring athletes, Day understands the importance of keeping his players grounded and mentally focused in addition to preparing them physically for the demands of college football.

Day explained that the SEAL’s message centered around a few key principles that aligned closely with the ideals of the Ohio State football program:

1. Leadership and Accountability

One of the core messages shared by the former Navy SEAL was the importance of leadership, particularly during times of adversity. In the world of Navy SEALs, leadership is not about titles or hierarchy but about taking responsibility and stepping up when others need guidance. This concept is especially valuable in the context of a football team, where leadership on and off the field can determine the team’s success.

The SEAL shared with Ohio State that leadership involves fostering an environment where players are held accountable for their actions and are responsible for the success of the team. In football, leadership goes beyond captains or coaches; it’s about every player holding themselves and each other accountable, ensuring that the entire team operates as a cohesive unit.

Ryan Day recognized that the strength of a football team lies in its collective ability to work toward a common goal. Leadership and accountability are essential components of building that unity, and the SEAL’s insights helped reinforce that message with the players.

2. Mental Resilience and the Ability to Overcome Adversity

The Buckeyes’ 2022 season wasn’t without its challenges, including tough losses, injuries, and the constant pressure of expectations. Throughout the season, the players were tested mentally, particularly when facing high-stakes matchups in the Big Ten and later in the CFP. The Navy SEAL’s advice about mental resilience and the ability to push through adversity helped the Buckeyes maintain a calm and focused mindset in the most difficult moments.

Mental resilience is an essential quality in college football, especially in the intense, high-pressure moments of the season. In the world of Navy SEALs, mental resilience is an absolute necessity, as the soldiers are often placed in life-threatening situations and need to stay calm and composed under extreme stress. The Buckeyes took this lesson to heart, learning how to approach setbacks with composure and use them as fuel to move forward.

In particular, this lesson was crucial during the team’s CFP journey, where they faced off against some of the best teams in the nation. The mental toughness imparted by the former SEAL became the foundation for how Ohio State responded to adversity on the field. Whether it was dealing with a tough loss or executing a crucial play in a critical moment, the players were able to focus on the task at hand and perform under pressure.

3. Discipline and Consistency

The Navy SEAL’s lessons on discipline were integral to Ohio State’s success. Discipline, both on and off the field, is what keeps athletes focused on their training, their goals, and their commitment to the team. The SEAL shared stories about how discipline—whether in a combat mission or in physical training—was the difference between success and failure.

For Ohio State, discipline meant staying committed to the process, no matter the circumstances. Whether it was following the prescribed workout regimen or staying mentally focused during a game, the players were reminded that consistency and attention to detail were essential to reaching their ultimate goal.

This discipline also extended to how the players interacted with each other, as maintaining respect and trust within the team environment was critical to its success. The SEAL’s insights on discipline helped instill a culture of respect and responsibility within the Ohio State program, where everyone understood the importance of doing their part for the good of the team.

Ryan Day’s Role in Integrating the SEAL’s Advice

Ryan Day, as the head coach of Ohio State, understood the importance of not only bringing in external sources of wisdom but also of knowing how to integrate those lessons into the team’s existing culture. Day is known for his leadership style that emphasizes player development—both on and off the field—and this advice from the former Navy SEAL was another tool in his coaching toolbox.

Incorporating outside perspectives, especially from individuals with unique experiences such as a former SEAL, helped Day foster an atmosphere of mental toughness that enhanced the team’s overall mindset. Through this initiative, Day created a culture of excellence where the players understood that achieving greatness required both physical and mental preparation. It was about building resilience in the face of adversity, being disciplined, and showing up for each other.

Day’s approach to leadership has made a lasting impact on Ohio State’s program, and his openness to new ideas and philosophies continues to shape the trajectory of the team. The advice from the former Navy SEAL was just one example of how Day strives to elevate his players’ mindset and prepare them for the unique challenges they will face in college football.

The Impact on Ohio State’s National Title Run

While the Navy SEAL’s advice wasn’t the only factor that contributed to Ohio State’s national title run, it was undoubtedly a key component in helping the team stay mentally sharp throughout the season. The lessons of leadership, accountability, resilience, and discipline permeated the Buckeyes’ mindset, allowing them to remain focused and determined, even when facing setbacks or challenges. It reinforced the importance of approaching the game with a calm and composed attitude, regardless of the high-pressure situation.

The team’s ability to execute in crunch-time moments—whether it was in the Big Ten Championship Game or the CFP semifinals—can be traced back to the mental resilience imparted by the former SEAL. The lessons from outside the world of football helped the players maintain their poise and perform at a high level when it mattered most.

As Ohio State continues to strive for national championships, Ryan Day will no doubt continue to seek out ways to enhance his team’s mindset and mental preparation. The collaboration with the former Navy SEAL is a testament to Day’s commitment to developing his players holistically—on the field, mentally, and emotionally.