Ohio State's head coach, Ryan Day, has faced his share of criticism, especially leading up to the 2024 College Football Playoff. After another tough loss to Michigan, there were whispers about his future with the Buckeyes hinging on a national championship victory.
Day and his team answered those doubts emphatically. They stormed through the CFP, capping off their run with a decisive victory over Notre Dame to claim the national title.
The Buckeyes carried that momentum into the 2025 season, starting strong with 12 consecutive wins. However, they stumbled in the Big Ten Championship Game against Indiana and later fell to Miami in the CFP quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl.
Despite these setbacks, Day’s position remains secure, bolstered by the national championship win and a victory over Michigan in 2025. His achievements have not gone unnoticed, as Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt recently ranked him as the second-best coach in the nation.
Klatt lauded Day's excellence, noting his consistent presence at the top of the AP poll and his record of never losing more than two games in a season. Day’s ability to maintain Ohio State as the number one team for much of the season until their narrow loss to Indiana was particularly impressive.
Losing by just three points to a formidable Indiana team, who went on to win the national championship over Miami, was no small feat. Klatt highlighted Day's role in sustaining Ohio State’s stability and consistency, asserting that the Buckeyes are unmatched in college football's landscape.
"Ohio State is the most consistent program in college football," Klatt emphasized, pointing to the Buckeyes' enduring success across decades. He argued that few programs in America can rival Ohio State's consistency, especially over the last 30 years.
Under Day's leadership, the Buckeyes boast an impressive 82-12 record, with two Big Ten championships in 2019 and 2020, underscoring the lasting impact of his tenure at Ohio State.