The $12.5 Million Man: What Ryan Day’s New Contract And 2025 Staff Changes Mean For Ohio State Football’s Future
Contents
Ryan Day: The Complete Head Coach Biography and Career Timeline
Ryan Patrick Day, born on March 12, 1979, has quickly ascended the coaching ranks to become the 24th and current head football coach at The Ohio State University. His journey from a college quarterback to the leader of one of the most storied programs in the nation is marked by a consistent focus on high-powered offense and quarterback development.- Born: March 12, 1979 (Manchester, New Hampshire)
- Playing Career: Quarterback at the University of New Hampshire (1998–2001)
- Early Coaching (2002–2014): Day began his career as a tight ends coach at New Hampshire (2002), followed by graduate assistant roles at Boston College (2003–2004) and the University of Florida (2005). He had various assistant coaching roles at Temple, Boston College (again), and was the Offensive Coordinator at Temple and Boston College.
- NFL Stints (2015–2016): Day spent two seasons in the National Football League (NFL) as a quarterbacks coach, first with the Philadelphia Eagles (2015) and then with the San Francisco 49ers (2016), working under Chip Kelly at both stops.
- Ohio State Assistant (2017–2018): Day joined Ohio State in 2017 as Co-Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach under Urban Meyer. He served as the acting head coach for the first three games of the 2018 season.
- Ohio State Head Coach (2019–Present): Day officially took over the program in 2019. His record through five seasons (2019-2023) stood at 56-8, including a phenomenal 39-3 record against Big Ten opponents.
- Key Achievements:
- College Football Playoff National Championship (2024-2025 season)
- Multiple Big Ten Conference Championships (2019, 2020)
- Multiple College Football Playoff appearances.
- Dominant record in "The Game" against Michigan.
The Landmark 2024-2025 National Championship Season and Contract Details
The 2024-2025 season was a career-defining year for Ryan Day and the Ohio State program, culminating in the school's ninth national championship. The Buckeyes finished the season with an impressive 14-2 record, silencing critics who had questioned Day's ability to win the biggest games. The championship game itself was a thrilling showdown. Ohio State, ranked No. 8, defeated the No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish with a score of 34-23 in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Key players like wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, defensive end JT Tuimoloau, and offensive tackle Donovan Jackson were instrumental in the championship run.The New $12.5 Million Commitment
Following the championship, Ohio State moved swiftly to secure Day long-term. The athletic department agreed in principle to a new seven-year contract extension that will keep Day in Columbus through the 2031 season. This new deal is a massive statement of faith, reportedly paying Day an eye-popping $12.5 million a year. Furthermore, the contract includes a massive buyout, signaling the university’s commitment and making it extremely difficult for rival programs or the NFL to poach the head coach in the coming years.Major Coaching Staff Shakeups and the 2025 Recruiting Landscape
While the head coach position is stable, the 2025 offseason brought significant changes to the Ohio State coaching staff, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, which adds a layer of intrigue to the upcoming season.High-Profile Departures and Arrivals
The biggest shakeup was the departure of Offensive Coordinator and Wide Receivers Coach Brian Hartline, a beloved Buckeyes legend and an elite recruiter. Hartline accepted the head coaching job at the University of South Florida (USF), leaving a major void in the offensive leadership. To fill the gaps, Day made several key, high-profile adjustments:- Defensive Coordinator Matt Patricia: The Buckeyes secured a major name from the NFL, hiring former Detroit Lions Head Coach and New England Patriots Defensive Coordinator Matt Patricia to lead the defense. This move brings Super Bowl-winning experience and a new defensive philosophy to the program.
- Co-Offensive Coordinator Keenan Bailey: Bailey, who was previously the tight ends coach, was promoted to Co-Offensive Coordinator.
- Co-Defensive Coordinator Tim Walton: Walton was elevated to Co-Defensive Coordinator while retaining his role as the Secondary/Cornerbacks Coach.
- Marcus Johnson Departure: Assistant Offensive Line Coach Marcus Johnson also left the program to take a position at Arkansas.
The Highly-Ranked 2025 Recruiting Class
The stability under Day, coupled with the national championship, has allowed Ohio State to maintain its elite status on the recruiting trail. The 2025 recruiting class is currently ranked among the best in the nation, consistently placing in the Top 5 nationally and holding the No. 2 spot in the Big Ten conference. The class is particularly strong in rebuilding depth, especially along the defensive line, and features top-tier talent like four-star safety Faheem Delane. Maintaining this level of talent acquisition is crucial for the Buckeyes to pursue a repeat national championship. The combination of a highly-paid, long-term head coach and a refreshed, experienced coaching staff sets the stage for Ohio State to be a dominant force in college football for the remainder of the decade.
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