Tag: Day

Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day is interviewed with Cody Simon and Will Howard after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Title-toting Ryan Day, Ohio State reflect on journey under championship glow

Posted on | by Field Level Media

ATLANTA — On only a few hours of sleep since his Buckeyes were crowned national champions on Monday night, Ohio State coach Ryan Day knows next year is closing fast.

And not just because the Buckeyes start the 2025 regular season against the Texas Longhorns in a high-profile home opener on Aug. 30 already being dissected around Columbus.

“Try losing the first game and see how that goes at Ohio State. We’ll see about that,” Day said in Atlanta on Tuesday, his first day as a championship-winning head coach.

“We do have a talented group coming back, so we’ll get back and try to figure that out. I don’t know if spring practice is going to look like it usually does. I don’t know if it can for the amount of games these guys have played. But for the young guys, we’ve got to get them going, get them indoctrinated into the program and then we’ll ramp up soon.”

Transfer quarterback Will Howard delayed postgame sleep for the short flight back to Ohio, where a dramatic scene awaited seven weeks removed from a loss to defending champion and archrival Michigan in a stunning upset, 13-10. The national narrative in the afterglow of that defeat flickered somewhere between dim and doom. Fans weren’t shy about pointing fingers at Day and in some corners clamored for Urban Meyer to return to rescue the program.

Day reminded players the season wasn’t over Nov. 30 when Michigan attempted to plan its flag at Ohio Stadium. After blitzing through the first 12-team College Football Playoff, the Buckeyes (14-2) have a different level of appreciation for the journey they meandered to reach the mountaintop in Georgia on Jan. 20 with a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame.

Ohio State linebacker Cody Simon tried to put the entire picture into words Tuesday.

“The humility and the resilience of not only the seniors but just everyone on our team. People deciding to come back for another year when they could have made all the money in the NFL and be first-round picks. They came back for the love of the brotherhood and the appreciation for the culture and all their teammates,” he said. “I think that story is about determination, resilience, humility, just thankfulness, faithfulness, just everything good that comes out of a team game and a team sport. I think our team has showed it this year.”

Day said he reminded his victorious locker room of the life lessons to be taken from the season that began 10 months ago with spring practice.

“Just waking up this morning, just grateful that we had an opportunity to be with this team and certainly I would say that everything that came with the season and all the hard work was worth it. It was worth it,” Day said. “I’m proud of these guys. And again, we’ll go down in history and cement themselves as champions.

“We’re going to take some time to celebrate, enjoy it, because these guys deserve it.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2025; Pasadena, CA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day celebrates after defeating the Oregon Ducks in the 2025 Rose Bowl college football quarterfinal game at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Coaches pocket big bonuses with CFP semifinal runs

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A berth in the College Football Playoff championship game will be on the line when Texas and Ohio State meet Jan. 10 in one national semifinal, but so will hundreds of thousands of dollars for their head coaches.

Both Steve Sarkisian of Texas and Ryan Day of Ohio State stand to cash in big bonuses with a win at the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas.

According to figures from USA Today, Sarkisian has earned $650,000 so far by qualifying for the semifinal after the Longhorns’ double-overtime win over Arizona State on Wednesday in the Peach Bowl. That’s on top of $250,000 he earned by reaching the Southeastern Conference title game.

Should the Longhorns play in the title game, he’ll earn another $250,000 — and that will be doubled with a win.

As for Day, reaching the CFP semifinal with Wednesday’s Rose Bowl win over Oregon in the quarterfinals has brought him an extra $350,000. If the Buckeyes defeat the Longhorns, he will be guaranteed an additional $150,000 — plus $500,000 more if they win the national championship for a total bonus payout of $1 million.

James Franklin’s Penn State team will face the winner of Thursday’s Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame after their victory over Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. Penn State and Franklin agreed on a contract amendment in November to account for the revamped, 12-team CFP, and details haven’t been announced. Front Office Sports reported that under the four-team playoff structure, Franklin would have received $400,000 for making the field, $500,000 for a semifinal win, or $800,000 for winning the national championship.

Salary figures for Marcus Freeman, the head coach at Notre Dame, were not available because it is a private school. But at public Georgia, Kirby Smart stands to take home $1.175 million in bonuses should the Bulldogs win the national title. He already has earned $425,000 of that amount.

That’s a lot of money but still far short of the $3 million Jim Harbaugh earned last season for leading Michigan to its first title since 1997.

–Field Level Media

Sep 17, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes passing game coordinator Brian Hartline walks across the field prior to the NCAA Division I football game against the Toledo Rockets at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch Ncaa Football Toledo Rockets At Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State promotes Brian Hartline to OC

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ohio State promoted Brian Hartline to offensive coordinator on Friday.

Hartline, 36, replaces Kevin Wilson, who left to become the head coach at Tulsa.

Hartline was the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach in 2022 for the Buckeyes (11-2), who lost to eventual national champion Georgia 42-41 in the CFP semifinals.

Head coach Ryan Day has been the play-caller for the offense and it wasn’t immediately clear if that would change.

Hartline joined his alma mater’s staff in 2017 as an offensive quality control assistant and was promoted to receivers coach in 2018.

“Brian has been successful in every football capacity for which he has been engaged,” Day said in a news release. “He has progressed incredibly well from college to NFL receiver, and then from quality control coach to wide receivers coach to passing game coordinator. He figures things out quickly and he is more than ready to now transition to offensive coordinator.

“Brian has also developed his receivers at an unprecedented level and he has recruited as well or better than anyone in the country. Now he’ll be recruiting for our entire offense and I think that is something that will be really positive for our program.”

Hartline was a fourth-round draft pick by Miami in 2009 and spent seven seasons in the NFL with the Dolphins (2009-14) and Cleveland Browns (2015). He caught 344 passes for 4,766 yards and 14 touchdowns in 104 games.

The Buckeyes also announced that Keenan Bailey was promoted to tight ends coach, offensive line coach Justin Frye was given the additional title of run game coordinator and running backs coach Tony Alford also being given the title of assistant head coach for the offense.

–Field Level Media

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day and players stand at midfield for a tribute to Dwayne Haskins during the spring football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on April 16, 2022. Ncaa Football Ohio State Spring Game

Ohio State boosting Ryan Day’s salary to $9.5M

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ohio State football coach Ryan Day is set to receive to a two-year contract extension that boosts his annual salary to $9.5 million through the 2028 season.

The deal announced by the school Wednesday increases Day’s annual compensation from $7.6 million. It is pending the approval of the university’s board of trustees in a vote to be held Thursday.

Day, 43, has led the Buckeyes to a 34-4 record (23-1 Big Ten) since being named the program’s 25th head coach on Dec. 4, 2018.

Day’s teams have made two appearances in the College Football Playoff and won two Big Ten championships.

Ohio State announced updates for four other head coaches. Men’s basketball coach Chris Holtmann and men’s ice hockey coach Steve Rohlik will receive extensions and women’s basketball coach Kevin McGuff and men’s lacrosse coach Nick Myers will receive new contracts.

Holtmann’s three-year extension includes a $500,000 raise to $3.5 million per year in salary. His Buckeyes are one of three teams to win at least 20 games in each of his first five seasons, along with Kansas and Oregon.

McGuff’s new four-year deal includes an annual compensation of $1.05 million and runs through the 2025-26 season. Ohio State finished 25-7 in his ninth season at the helm of the program in 2021-22.

Rohlik’s two-year extension runs through the 2025-26 campaign. The two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year (2018, 2019) just completed his ninth season as head coach of the Buckeyes.

Myers’ new five-year contract runs through the 2027 season. He is the program’s all-time winningest coach and has led Ohio State to four NCAA Tournament berths in 14 seasons.

–Field Level Media

Nov 21, 2020; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day (center) and defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs(right) and place kicker Dominic DiMaccio (28)after the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Day unavailable to coach if Buckeyes play this weekend

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is unavailable to coach this weekend due to COVID-19.

A spokesperson for the Buckeyes said Day would not be out of isolation required following a positive test in time to coach Ohio State against Michigan State on Saturday.

Big Ten coaches who test positive for COVID-19 are required to be out for 10 days. That puts Day’s earliest possible return from isolation at Dec. 7 — next Monday.

Several positive tests within the program caused the Buckeyes to cancel last week’s game at Illinois. The status of this week’s game isn’t certain because of a positivity rate protocol the Big Ten instituted prior to the season.

Other individuals who tested positive are not being identified by Ohio State. Athletic director Gene Smith said Day is “doing well physically” but the statement issued last week did not disclose whether Day experienced symptoms common with the novel coronavirus.

If Ohio State (4-0) remains at or above 7.5 percent within the program, the team will not be eligible to play at Michigan State, and would then not have enough games played to qualify for the Big Ten championship.

Should the Buckeyes clear protocol this week, Day said it is possible the team could play a game this weekend even with only one or two full practices. That would mean returning to the field Thursday.

Defensive line coach Larry Johnson was set to fill in for Day at Illinois and would be asked to do the same against the Spartans.

The Buckeyes are scheduled to close the Big Ten season on Dec. 12 against Michigan. The Wolverines put their program on pause Monday while awaiting confirmation of presumptive positive COVID-19 tests.

–Field Level Media

Dec 28, 2019; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day on the sidelines during the game against the Clemson Tigers in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl college football playoff semifinal game. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Day, Saban absences create minimal impact on odds

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ryan Day and Nick Saban are two of the most influential coaches in college football, but their absences on Saturday are not expected to put their teams on upset alert.

The top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide moved from a 25-point favorite (-110) against the Auburn Tigers at PointsBet to 24.5 (-110) after Saban tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week.

The Ohio State Buckeyes, who debuted at No. 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings, moved from a 29-point favorite (-115) to beat 2-3 Illinois to 27.5 (-110) after Day tested positive on Friday.

Both coaches will not be on the sideline on Saturday.

“The absence of Saban and Day aren’t really moving the numbers too much,” SportsBetting.com odds consultant Scott Cooley said. “The reason being is that you have two superior teams playing against two inferior teams, at least according to the power ratings and odds.

“If these matchups were creating spreads 10 points or less, then you’d see some adjustment or betting reaction for the coaches. But since we’re looking at almost four-score (under)dogs, it’s not going to move the needle.”

Ohio State isn’t planning to fly to Champaign until Saturday morning as it waits on more test results, according to reports.

Defensive line coach Larry Johnson, who also is associate head coach, will run the squad in place of Day.

“Coach Ryan Day is one of the individuals who has tested positive,” the school said in a statement. “He is in isolation and will not travel to Illinois or coach the team. Assistant head coach/defensive line coach Larry Johnson will serve as interim head coach of the Buckeyes on Saturday.”

Day reportedly would need to isolate for 10 days and be symptom-free for at least 24 hours before he can return to his coaching duties.

There were reports Thursday that an unknown number of Ohio State players in more than one position group have tested positive for COVID-19, leaving in doubt whether the Buckeyes (4-0) could play this weekend.

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith reiterated that the team wants to play.

“I have spoken with Coach Day, and he is doing well physically,” Smith said. “I feel terrible for (Day) and for the members of the program who have been diagnosed with a positive test.

“Coach Day and this team have been true leaders in handling things so well throughout this pandemic. Our team wants to play this game, and we’re going to do everything we can to help make this happen. All of the decisions on the welfare of our student-athletes and staff members will continue to be guided by our medical staff.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 7, 2020; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day(right)and assistant coach Kerry Coombs before the game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Ohio State coach Day tests positive for COVID-19

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ohio State football coach Ryan Day tested positive for COVID-19 and won’t coach the No. 3 Buckeyes at Illinois on Saturday, the school announced Friday.

The school isn’t planning to fly to Champaign until Saturday morning as it waits on more test results, according to reports.

Defensive line coach Larry Johnson, who also is associate head coach, will run the squad in place of Day.

“Coach Ryan Day is one of the individuals who has tested positive,” the school said in a statement. “He is in isolation and will not travel to Illinois or coach the team. Assistant head coach/defensive line coach Larry Johnson will serve as interim head coach of the Buckeyes on Saturday.”

Day would reportedly need to isolate for 10 days and be symptom-free for at least 24 hours before he can return to his coaching duties.

One day earlier, there were reports that an unknown number of players in more than one position group have tested positive for COVID-19, leaving in doubt whether the Buckeyes (4-0) could play this weekend.

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith reiterated that the squad wants to play Saturday’s game against Illinois (2-3).

“I have spoken with coach Day, and he is doing well physically,” Smith said. “I feel terrible for (Day) and for the members of the program who have been diagnosed with a positive test.

“Coach Day and this team have been true leaders in handling things so well throughout this pandemic. Our team wants to play this game, and we’re going to do everything we can to help make this happen. All of the decisions on the welfare of our student-athletes and staff members will continue to be guided by our medical staff.”

Day, 41, is the latest head coach to test positive for COVID-19. Alabama coach Nick Saban also tested positive earlier this week and won’t coach the top-ranked Crimson Tide in Saturday’s Iron Bowl clash against Auburn.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2019; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Wyatt Davis (52) against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Day expects Wade, Davis to play for Ohio State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ohio State coach Ryan Day expects Wyatt Davis and Shaun Wade to play for the Buckeyes despite recently declaring they were committing to the 2021 NFL Draft.

Provided Davis and Wade did not sign with an agent and remain enrolled and eligible academically, there is no rule prohibiting either player from changing course to play the 2020 college football season. In its own dramatic reversal, the Big Ten announced Wednesday that the season would begin Oct. 23-24.

Less than a week ago, Davis announced he was starting prep for next year’s draft. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound junior offensive lineman, a projected first-round pick, announced his decision on social media.

“I should be in the middle of preparing for our game this week. Instead, due to the events of 2020, I spent the last weeks with my family and coaching staff trying to determine my future,” Wyatt posted on Twitter. “On one hand, playing at The Ohio State has been the experience of a lifetime. On the other, my childhood dream is to play in the NFL. After much thought and deliberation and given the uncertainty of our times, I have decided to start preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft.”

Day, who advocated for the 2020 season to be played since the Big Ten announced Aug. 11 it would not have a fall season, also expects Wade, a senior cornerback, to be part of the team.

Wade — a preseason All-American and a team captain — left the door slightly open to return to the Buckeyes when he said this week he would commit to draft preparation. He is viewed as a potential top-10 draft pick.

–Field Level Media

Dec 28, 2019; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day prior to the game against the Clemson Tigers in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl college football playoff semifinal game. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Ohio State’s Day: Players want to know ‘why can’t they play?’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The first big Saturday of college football games is arriving and Ohio State coach Ryan Day said on Thursday that his players want answers per why they will be sitting and watching while others are in action.

The Big Ten postponed its fall season due to the coronavirus pandemic and hopes to play it in the spring. But Day sees the ACC and other conferences on the verge of playing games and it doesn’t sit right to him.

“These young men and their parents have asked so many questions that I do not have an answer to, but the one that hurts the most is, ‘Why can these other teams and players play and we can’t?’” Day said in a statement on his Twitter account. “Duke is playing Notre Dame, and Clemson is playing Wake Forest this weekend. Our players want to know: why can’t they play?”

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