Ryan Day (American football)

Ryan Day (born March 12, 1979) is an American football coach and former college football player. He is the 24th and current head football coach at Ohio State University, a position he has held since 2019. Day was also the acting head coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes for the first three games of the 2018 season. He attended the University of New Hampshire, where he played quarterback and linebacker for the Wildcats from 1998 to 2001 before he began his coaching career in 2002.

Ryan Day
Day in 2019
Current position
TitleHead coach
TeamOhio State
ConferenceBig Ten
Record60–8
Annual salary$9.96 million[1]
Biographical details
Born (1979-03-12) March 12, 1979 (age 45)
Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S.
Playing career
1998–2001New Hampshire
Position(s)Quarterback, linebacker
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2002New Hampshire (TE)
2003–2004Boston College (GA)
2005Florida (GA)
2006Temple (WR)
2007–2011Boston College (WR)
2012Temple (OC/WR)
2013–2014Boston College (OC/QB)
2015Philadelphia Eagles (QB)
2016San Francisco 49ers (QB)
2017Ohio State (co-OC/QB)
2018Ohio State (OC/QB/acting HC)
2019–presentOhio State
Head coaching record
Overall60–8
Bowls2–4
Tournaments1–3 (CFP)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
2 Big Ten (2019–2020)
3 Big Ten East Division (2019–2021)
Awards
Big Ten Coach of the Year (2019)

Playing career

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Day attended Manchester Central High School in Manchester, New Hampshire.[2] As a quarterback and defensive back, he was the state's Gatorade Player of the Year for his senior season.[2] Day attended the University of New Hampshire. Playing for then-offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, Day set four career records at UNH, including completion percentage and touchdowns.[3][4]

Coaching career

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Early career

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Day was the offensive coordinator for Temple in 2012, as well as the offensive coordinator for Boston College from 2013 to 2014.[5][6] He was hired as the Philadelphia Eagles' quarterbacks coach on January 22, 2015.[7] Then, in 2016, after his mentor Chip Kelly was relieved of his duties in Philadelphia, Day was hired in the same role by Kelly, who became the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.[8] On January 3, 2017, Day was hired to replace co-offensive coordinator Tim Beck of the Ohio State Buckeyes.[9] After being linked to the Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator position in January 2018, Day was promoted to offensive coordinator and primary play caller at Ohio State.[10]

Ohio State

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2018 season

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On August 1, 2018, Day was named acting head coach at Ohio State when head coach Urban Meyer was placed on administrative leave[11] when news came to light of Meyer's knowledge of events surrounding then-fired Zach Smith's domestic violence accusations made by Smith's estranged wife. Day won all three games during Meyer's absence.[12] On December 4, 2018, Ohio State announced that Meyer would retire as head coach after the 2019 Rose Bowl and be replaced by Day on a full-time basis.[13][14]

2019 season

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Day during the 2019 Fiesta Bowl

In 2019, Day's first season as a full-time head coach, he led the Buckeyes to a perfect 12–0 regular season record, the Buckeyes' first undefeated regular season since 2013.[15] Despite being predicted to finish second in the Big Ten East Division according to the 2019 Cleveland.com preseason poll,[16] the Buckeyes clinched the division following their November 23 victory over Penn State, and secured a spot in the Big Ten Championship,[17] which they would go on to win beat Wisconsin 34–21.[18] The Buckeyes were named the number two seed in the College Football Playoff and lost to the Clemson Tigers in the Fiesta Bowl.[19][20] On December 3, 2019, Coach Day was named the Dave McClain Coach of the Year by the media.[21]

2020 season

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Day's second season was significantly shortened due to the Big Ten Conference's policies regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The Buckeyes' regular season was shortened from 12 games to 8 games,[22] and then down to 5 because of cancellations due to the pandemic.[23][24][25] After starting the season 4–0, Coach Day was forced to miss the December 5 game against Michigan State after testing positive for COVID-19,[26] which the Buckeyes won, 52–12. What would have been Ohio State's sixth regular season game, against rival Michigan, was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns within the Michigan program. This was the first time since the 1917 season that Ohio State and Michigan did not play each other. The Big Ten's coronavirus policies would have prevented the Buckeyes from playing in the 2020 Big Ten Football Championship Game, as they did not meet the six-game threshold put forth by the conference.[27] However, on December 9, 2020, the Big Ten administrative council voted to remove the six game minimum, allowing Ohio State to advance to the conference championship.[28] The Buckeyes played in the Big Ten Championship game on December 19, where they beat the Northwestern Wildcats 22–10.[29] Ohio State was selected as the number 3 seed in the College Football Playoff, where they faced number 2 Clemson in the 2021 Sugar Bowl.[30] Ohio State defeated Clemson 49–28, and advanced to the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship, to face number 1 Alabama.[31] The Buckeyes lost to Alabama 52–24.[32]

2021 season

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The 2021 season, Day's third full season as head coach, began with the Buckeyes ranked fourth in both the AP and Coaches' Poll.[33][34] After an early season upset by Oregon, Day led Ohio State through a nine-game win streak behind Heisman finalist C. J. Stroud.[35][36] Ohio State had wins against then 20th-ranked Penn State and fifth-ranked Michigan State. Going into the Michigan game, Ohio State was ranked No. 2 and Michigan was ranked No. 5 by the College Football Playoff committee. Michigan defeated Ohio State for the first time since 2011.[37] Though technically Ohio State and Michigan tied for the division championship, despite the loss, Michigan earned the right to represent the Big Ten East in the Conference Championship game. As a result, this loss effectively eliminated Ohio State from playoff contention. Ohio State was selected to play against Utah in the Rose Bowl.[38] Ohio State won the Rose Bowl, 48–45.[39]

 
Day prior to a game

2022 season

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The 2022 season, which was Day's fourth full season at the helm, featured the Buckeyes starting ranked #2 in the nation in both the AP and Coaches' Poll.[40] With returning quarterback C. J. Stroud, Ohio State managed to start 8–0, with double digit wins at home over a then-top 5 Notre Dame and away at the #13 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions.[41][42] In the inaugural College Football Playoff rankings of the season, the Buckeyes landed at #2, a spot they would hold for four weeks.[43] Though they struggled in games[44][45] against a 1–7 Northwestern and a 6–4 Maryland, Ohio State managed to remain undefeated heading into the matchup against #3 Michigan for the series' second matchup of 11–0 teams (the first since 2006),[46] and the third meeting between top-5 teams since they met in 2016.[47] Despite being favored by eight points,[48] Ohio State was utterly embarrassed 45–23, and managed to score only three points in the second half.[49] With this loss, Ohio State failed to reach the Big Ten Championship for the second consecutive season, and Ryan Day fell to 1–2 against the Wolverines, becoming the first Ohio State head coach to lose multiple games to Michigan in the 21st century. Day is also 0–2 since infamously stating that he would "hang 100 on them."[50] Despite the loss to the Wolverines, the Buckeyes made the College Football Playoff as the 4-seed.[51] In the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Day and Buckeyes fell to the eventual National Champion Georgia Bulldogs 42–41.[52]

2023 season

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In the 2023 season, which was Day's fifth season at the helm, featured the Buckeyes reaching an 11–0 record and being ranked #2 going into the Michigan game for the third consecutive year. This time, Michigan won 30–24. It marked the Buckeyes first three-game losing streak to Michigan since 1995–97. The Buckeyes were then invited to the 2023 Cotton Bowl, where they lost to the Missouri Tigers 14–3 on December 29, 2023, to finish the season with an 11–2 record.[53]

Personal life

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Day met his wife, Christina Ourania Spirou, whom he calls Nina, when they played together on the same tee ball team when she was seven and he was six.[54] Married in June 2005, the Days have three children.[55]

Day was raised by a single mother, Lisa Day, following the death of his father, Raymond Day, on January 20, 1988, of suicide.[56] On June 5, 2019, Day disclosed publicly, for the first time, his father was a victim of suicide, when he was nine years old, with two younger brothers, Chris, seven, and Tim, five [citation needed].

Day is an advocate for mental health awareness. Since becoming head coach at Ohio State, Day and his wife have chosen to partner with an organization focused on lifting stigmas related to mental health called On Our Sleeves, a movement begun at the Nationwide Children's Hospital. An extension of this partnership is The Christina and Ryan Day Fund for Pediatric and Adolescent Mental Wellness, which the Days donated $100,000 to initiate.[57]

Head coaching record

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Ohio State Buckeyes (Big Ten Conference) (2018)
2018 Ohio State 3–0[n 1] 1–0[n 1]
Ohio State Buckeyes (Big Ten Conference) (2019–present)
2019 Ohio State 13–1 9–0 1st (East) L Fiesta 3 3
2020 Ohio State 7–1 5–0 1st (East) W Sugar, L CFP NCG 2 2
2021 Ohio State 11–2 8–1 T–1st (East) W Rose 5 6
2022 Ohio State 11–2 8–1 2nd (East) L Peach 4 4
2023 Ohio State 11–2 8–1 2nd (East) L Cotton 10 10
2024 Ohio State 4–0 1–0
Ohio State: 60–8 40–3
Total: 60–8
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

Notes

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  1. ^ a b Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer was placed on administrative leave for the first three games of the 2018 season. Day served as acting head coach in his absence. Ohio State credits the first three games of the season to Day and the remaining 11 games, including the Rose Bowl, to Meyer.

References

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  1. ^ Hope, Dan (September 20, 2023). "Ryan Day Will Make $9.96 Million This Season After Offseason Salary Increase". Eleven Warriors. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Coppola, Frank (August 26, 2001). "There is little doubt about Ryan Day's role at UNH". Sea Coast Online. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  3. ^ Shorr-Parks, Eliot (January 23, 2015). "Here is what you need to know about Eagles' new quarterbacks coach Ryan Day". NJ.com. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  4. ^ Wysong, David (December 19, 2020). "Ryan Day Was a Record-Setting Quarterback for Chip Kelly Before Becoming Ohio State's Head Coach". Sportscasting. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  5. ^ Coolbaugh, Gethin (December 5, 2012). "Ryan Day will be hired as new BC OC". SB Nation Boston. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  6. ^ Favat, Brian (December 5, 2012). "Ryan Day To Be Named Boston College OC". BC Interruption. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  7. ^ Shorr-Parks, Eliot (January 22, 2015). "Eagles hire Boston College offensive coordinator Ryan Day as quarterback coach". NJ.com. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  8. ^ "Ex-49ers assistant Ryan Day to replace Urban Meyer as Ohio State coach". RSN. December 4, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  9. ^ Rider, James (January 3, 2017). "Ryan Day replaces Tim Beck as Ohio State quarterbacks coach". WRGT. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  10. ^ Landis, Bill (January 23, 2018). "Ryan Day promoted to Ohio State offensive coordinator". cleveland.com. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  11. ^ Harrish, Kevin (August 1, 2018). "Ryan Day Tabbed Interim Head Coach During Urban Meyer's Paid Administrative Leave". Eleven Warriors. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
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  13. ^ Sallee, Barrett (December 4, 2018). "Ohio State coach Urban Meyer set to announce retirement, Ryan Day to replace him with Buckeyes". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
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  15. ^ "2019 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  16. ^ Lesmerises, Doug (July 17, 2019). "Michigan named Big Ten football favorite in cleveland.com 2019 preseason poll". cleveland.com. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
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  26. ^ Rittenberg, Adam (December 5, 2020). "Day on OSU's week: Hopeful worst is behind us". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  27. ^ Dinich, Heather (October 22, 2020). "Big Ten: Any COVID cancellations a 'no contest'". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
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  33. ^ Brown, Matt (August 16, 2021). "AP Top 25: Alabama, Oklahoma, Clemson, Ohio State, Georgia make up top 5". The Athletic. The Athletic Media Company. Associated Press. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
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  39. ^ Hope, Dan (January 1, 2022). "Ohio State Defeats Utah, 48-45, In Wild Rose Bowl Shootout". Eleven Warriors. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
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  46. ^ Helwagen, Steve (November 25, 2022). "Game Data: Historic match-up of 11-0 teams pits No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Michigan". 247Sports. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  47. ^ Shaw, Zach [@_ZachShaw] (November 20, 2022). "Next week's Michigan-Ohio State matchup will be the third meeting in the last 6 matchups where both teams were ranked in the AP or CFP Top 5: 2016, 2021 and 2022 In the previous 38 renditions of The Game (1978-2015), the teams were both top-5 in just 3 meetings: 1997, 2003, 2006" (Tweet). Retrieved December 1, 2022 – via Twitter.
  48. ^ "Ohio State vs. Michigan prediction, odds, line: 2022 Week 13 college football picks, best bets by proven model". CBSSports.com. November 26, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  49. ^ "Michigan vs. Ohio State - Game Summary - November 26, 2022 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  50. ^ Phillips, Ryan (August 6, 2020). "Jim Harbaugh Accused Ohio State Coach Ryan Day of Breaking Rules". The Big Lead. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  51. ^ Blinder, Alan (December 30, 2022). "Georgia and Ohio State Know All About No. 4 Seeds Making Title Runs". The New York Times. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  52. ^ "Peach Bowl - Ohio State vs Georgia Box Score, December 31, 2022". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  53. ^ "2023 Ohio State Buckeyes Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  54. ^ Laviola, Erin (December 4, 2018). "Christina Spirou Day, Ryan Day's Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  55. ^ Pinak, Patrick (August 29, 2022). "Ryan Day & His Wife Nina Have Been Best Friends For More Than 30 Years". FanBuzz. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  56. ^ "New Hampshire, Hillsborough County, Manchester, Cemetery Records, 1800-2007," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-958D-QXRS?cc=1930346&wc=M6GS-BTL%3A226982001%2C227057201 : accessed November 14, 2021), Pine Grove Cemetery > Cowie, John J. - Dorst, Catherine (Kathryn) > image 1060 of 2014; City of Manchester. Pine Grove Cemetery, New Hampshire.
  57. ^ Thamel, Pete (August 27, 2019). "How Ryan Day's past inspired a push to raise awareness about mental health". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
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