How Dan Lanning’s new salary compares to Ohio State football’s Ryan Day: Buckeye Breakfast
In the ever-evolving world of college football, where head coaches are both the leaders of their programs and the faces of their universities, salary negotiations have become a critical aspect of maintaining success and stability. The salaries of head coaches, particularly in Power 5 conferences like the Big Ten and the Pac-12, have skyrocketed in recent years as programs strive for excellence in an increasingly competitive environment. Two prominent names in college football—Dan Lanning, head coach at the University of Oregon, and Ryan Day, head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes—have made headlines for their recent salary developments. Both coaches are at the helm of prestigious programs and have demonstrated exceptional coaching acumen, which has resulted in significant salary adjustments. In this article, we will take a closer look at Dan Lanning’s new salary and how it compares to that of Ryan Day, analyzing the impact on their respective programs, recruiting, and the broader landscape of college football.
Dan Lanning’s Rise and New Salary
Dan Lanning, who took over the Oregon Ducks football program in 2022, has quickly become one of the most promising young coaches in the nation. After serving as defensive coordinator at the University of Georgia, where he was a key figure in the Bulldogs’ national championship run in 2021, Lanning’s stock soared. His success in Georgia, where he helped lead one of the most formidable defenses in the country, was a huge selling point for Oregon, who had been searching for a coach capable of maintaining its competitiveness in the Pac-12 and national spotlight.
In his first season at Oregon, Lanning helped the Ducks secure a solid 10-3 record, showcasing his ability to succeed at a high level while navigating a highly competitive conference. This success led to Lanning securing a significant contract extension in the 2024 offseason, reflecting not only his early accomplishments but also Oregon’s commitment to keeping him as their leader for the long term. Lanning’s new deal, reportedly worth $7 million annually, solidifies his position as one of the top-paid coaches in college football, putting him in the same tier as other elite coaches in the sport.
Oregon’s investment in Lanning is a reflection of the program’s ambition to be a perennial contender in both the Pac-12 and at the national level. With Lanning at the helm, the Ducks have the potential to challenge for College Football Playoff spots regularly, and the program’s financial commitment signals that they are willing to make the necessary investments to stay competitive. His new salary places him among the highest-paid coaches in the country, signaling that the University of Oregon is serious about its football program and its pursuit of championships.
Ryan Day’s Salary and the Ohio State Buckeyes’ Football Power
On the other side of the country, Ryan Day is entering a crucial period of his tenure as the head coach of Ohio State. After taking over from Urban Meyer in 2019, Day has transformed the Buckeyes into one of the most dominant teams in college football. In his first four seasons, Day led Ohio State to multiple Big Ten championships and College Football Playoff appearances, including a national title game appearance in the 2020 season. His success on the field has made him one of the most respected and well-compensated coaches in college football.
In 2024, Ryan Day signed a contract extension that increased his salary to a reported $11.5 million per year. This hefty salary makes him one of the highest-paid coaches in the country, reflecting both his success and the immense financial backing of Ohio State’s athletic department. Ohio State, with its large fan base, deep resources, and rich football tradition, is one of the most lucrative programs in the nation, and the university is more than willing to invest in its football program to maintain its status as a perennial powerhouse.
Day’s contract extension not only acknowledges his impressive record as head coach but also serves as a means of keeping him in Columbus for the long term. As Ohio State continues to compete for national championships, Day’s salary reflects the expectation that he will lead the Buckeyes to success, both in the Big Ten and on the national stage. His ability to recruit elite talent, develop quarterbacks, and manage high-pressure games has made him one of the most coveted coaches in the sport. For Ohio State, locking him down with a lucrative salary ensures that the program continues to attract top recruits and maintain its dominance in a highly competitive conference.
A Comparative Look at Lanning and Day’s Salaries
When we compare the salaries of Dan Lanning and Ryan Day, it is clear that both coaches are highly valued by their respective programs. However, there are several factors that differentiate their contracts, from the size of the respective programs to their histories of success and future aspirations. Let’s take a deeper dive into these factors:
Contract Size and Compensation
Ryan Day’s salary of $11.5 million is significantly higher than Lanning’s reported $7 million. This difference in salary is primarily a reflection of the size and financial capabilities of their programs. Ohio State, as one of the largest and most successful programs in the country, generates significant revenue from its football program. With a massive fan base, lucrative television contracts, and a rich football tradition, Ohio State is able to offer Day a more substantial salary compared to Lanning’s deal with Oregon.
In contrast, while Oregon is a prestigious program with a storied history, it operates within the Pac-12, a conference that has faced financial challenges in recent years, particularly in comparison to the Big Ten and SEC. Ohio State’s ability to offer a higher salary is also a reflection of the financial advantages that come with being a member of the Big Ten, which has significantly outpaced the Pac-12 in terms of revenue generation, particularly after the Big Ten’s expansion with schools like USC and UCLA joining the conference.
Success and Experience
Ryan Day’s higher salary can also be attributed to his more extensive track record of success. Day has been with Ohio State since 2017, first as the offensive coordinator and then as head coach starting in 2019. Under his leadership, the Buckeyes have been a national contender, consistently competing for the College Football Playoff and Big Ten championships. His success has been undeniable, and his status as one of the top coaches in college football has made him a key figure in Ohio State’s recruiting efforts and long-term strategy.
On the other hand, Dan Lanning’s success, while impressive, is still in the early stages of his tenure at Oregon. In just two seasons, Lanning has turned the Ducks into a competitive team, winning 10 games in his first year and positioning the program for future success. However, while Lanning’s potential is evident, he does not yet have the sustained success that Day has enjoyed at Ohio State. Thus, while Lanning’s salary places him among the top-paid coaches in the Pac-12, it falls short of Day’s salary due to the difference in experience and past achievements.
Program Expectations and Pressures
Ohio State, given its football history, has extremely high expectations every year. The Buckeyes are expected to compete for national championships, and anything short of a Big Ten title or a College Football Playoff berth can be seen as a disappointment. Ryan Day is not only tasked with maintaining the program’s success but also with managing the pressure that comes with the territory of being the head coach at a blue-blood program. The higher salary reflects the immense pressure on Day to continue to lead Ohio State to titles and maintain its status as one of the elite programs in the country.
Dan Lanning, while under less pressure due to Oregon’s more modest expectations, is still expected to lead the Ducks to the upper echelon of college football. Oregon has a strong football tradition and has consistently been one of the best teams in the Pac-12, but the expectations are somewhat lower when compared to the likes of Ohio State. The pressure on Lanning will grow as he continues to build the program, especially if Oregon is able to remain competitive in an expanded College Football Playoff and secure a spot among the nation’s elite programs.
Recruiting and Future Potential
Both Lanning and Day are excellent recruiters, and their success on the recruiting trail will be a key factor in their ability to continue competing at the highest level. Ohio State, with its massive resources and national brand, has been able to recruit at an elite level under Day’s leadership. The Buckeyes consistently land top-ranked recruiting classes, particularly in key areas like quarterback and offensive line. Day’s ability to attract elite talent is one of the primary reasons for his high salary.
Lanning, too, has proven to be a strong recruiter. He has quickly built up a strong class of incoming recruits and has made Oregon a desirable destination for top talent. However, Oregon’s ability to compete on the recruiting trail with programs like Ohio State, Alabama, and Georgia will be tested in the years ahead. The Pac-12’s financial struggles have made it more difficult for schools like Oregon to keep pace with the top programs in the nation. However, Lanning’s early success in the recruiting process suggests that Oregon has a bright future, and as the program continues to grow, his salary could increase in alignment with that growth.
A Changing Landscape in College Football
In conclusion, while Dan Lanning’s $7 million salary is certainly impressive, it falls short of Ryan Day’s $11.5 million salary, reflecting the different financial realities of their programs. Day’s success at Ohio State, combined with the program’s massive resources and high expectations, has led to a higher salary, while Lanning’s early success at Oregon and the potential of the Pac-12 program has earned him a lucrative deal of his own.
The salaries of both coaches reflect their programs’ ambitions and their roles in shaping the future of college football. As the landscape of college football continues to evolve, with new conference realignments, the expansion of the College Football Playoff, and an ever-growing emphasis on financial resources, the salaries of coaches like Day and Lanning will only continue to rise. Ultimately, both coaches are in prime positions to lead their programs to sustained success, and their compensation reflects the importance of their leadership in the highly competitive world of college football.
