Trump’s inauguration speech caused Ryan Day to react because he had no plans for college football

Ryan Day, the head coach of the Ohio State University football team, had a strong reaction to Donald Trump’s inauguration speech on January 20, 2025. The speech, filled with themes of nationalism, economic change, and promises of revitalizing America, received mixed reviews. While much of the speech focused on addressing broader societal issues, it was noticeably absent of any mention of college football, a sport that millions of Americans follow and participate in, contributing significantly to the country’s cultural and economic landscape.

For Day, whose career and livelihood were deeply intertwined with college football, Trump’s failure to acknowledge the sport in his inaugural address was concerning. As one of the leading figures in college football, Day was aware of the critical issues facing the sport—issues that had been debated for years. These included concerns about athlete compensation, player safety, the growing commercialization of college sports, and the structure of the NCAA itself. Day felt that the omission of college football in the president’s address signaled a lack of attention or commitment to these issues, and more broadly, a lack of a national vision for the future of college athletics.

The Landscape of College Football

College football in America is much more than just a sport. It is a multi-billion dollar industry that is deeply embedded in American culture, especially in regions like the Midwest and the South. The sport brings together millions of fans every fall, creating an environment of fierce loyalty to university teams. The rise of college football’s Playoff system, lucrative television contracts, and brand sponsorships only added to the sport’s immense financial impact.

However, beneath the surface of this glitz and glamour, college football faced significant challenges. The NCAA had long been criticized for its handling of player compensation, especially as the sport became more commercially successful. Student-athletes were still unable to profit off their own name, image, and likeness (NIL), despite generating substantial revenue for their schools and the NCAA. Additionally, player safety—particularly concerning concussions and the long-term effects of repeated head trauma—was a growing concern.

In the years leading up to Trump’s inauguration, many stakeholders in college football had been calling for change. Coaches, administrators, and even players began to push for reforms, including better compensation for athletes, improved health and safety measures, and greater transparency in how the NCAA governed the sport. However, these efforts often met with resistance, and there was little indication that federal leadership would intervene to help address these problems.

Trump’s Speech and the Absence of College Football

When Trump delivered his inaugural speech, it was clear that he had a plan to overhaul several facets of American life. The speech was heavy on promises to bring back jobs, improve infrastructure, and reduce the power of Washington elites. While these topics certainly resonated with large swathes of the American electorate, one area conspicuously absent from the address was college sports—particularly college football. This omission struck many as curious, given that the sport is a cultural and economic powerhouse in the United States.

For Ryan Day, this absence was more than just a missed opportunity to celebrate a national pastime—it was a signal of how the new administration might handle or overlook the issues facing college athletics. If the president was not even willing to acknowledge the importance of college football in his first major address, what could coaches, players, and administrators expect in terms of support or reform in the years to come?

Ryan Day’s Reaction

Ryan Day, a coach who had risen to prominence for his leadership of one of the most successful college football programs in the nation, understood the growing tensions in the sport. As a member of the college football community, he was acutely aware of the major issues at hand, particularly the lack of financial support for athletes, the increasing pressure placed on coaches, and the growing commercialization of college athletics.

For Day, the absence of college football in Trump’s inaugural speech signified a lack of direction for the sport. In his role as head coach, Day had seen firsthand the dedication, skill, and sacrifice that players poured into their sport. Yet, these athletes were still unable to capitalize on their success in ways that professional athletes could. Coaches like Day were also under constant pressure, not just to win games, but to navigate a complex system of NCAA regulations, sponsorship deals, and expectations from university administrators. The uncertainty regarding the future of the sport was frustrating.

Additionally, the lack of focus on college football in Trump’s speech also highlighted a larger issue—the disconnect between politics and the realities faced by those involved in college athletics. While Trump focused his energy on issues of national security, immigration, and the economy, the future of college football seemed relegated to the back burner. In Day’s eyes, this was an unfortunate oversight. College football was a fundamental part of the American sports landscape, and yet it had been neglected during a moment when leadership was sorely needed.

A Call for Leadership and Vision

For Ryan Day, the gap in Trump’s inaugural address was a call to action. College football needed leadership—leaders who understood the evolving challenges of the sport and were willing to take bold steps to address them. Day’s reaction was driven by the belief that the issues facing college football were not going to resolve themselves and would require active engagement from all sectors, including government.

He was also particularly concerned about the increasing commercialization of the sport. Television contracts, sponsorships, and lucrative bowl games had made college football a massive business. Yet, despite this financial windfall, the athletes—the ones putting their bodies on the line every week—were not compensated in ways that reflected the value they brought to the sport. Day was aware of the growing movement among athletes demanding compensation and better treatment, and he felt that the federal government’s attention to these issues was crucial for lasting change.

Furthermore, player safety was another area that demanded urgent attention. The growing awareness of the long-term effects of head injuries, particularly concussions, raised questions about the future of the game. Coaches, administrators, and doctors were working to implement safer protocols, but those in the college football community needed the federal government’s backing to make meaningful progress.

For Day, Trump’s failure to mention college football in his inaugural speech was indicative of a larger pattern: the sport, despite its importance, was not receiving the attention it deserved at the highest levels of government. He hoped that, moving forward, there would be a greater acknowledgment of college football’s role in American culture and that political leaders would engage more directly with the challenges facing the sport.