Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day saved his job with his team's legendary run through the first 12-team College Football Playoff field. In quite literal, no uncertain terms.
USA Today's Matt Hayes believes OSU would've been justified in firing Day after losing to TTUN at Ohio Stadium last November, a loss that extended the maize and blue's unbeaten streak over the scarlet and grey to continue a 2,000-plus day reign in the rivalry.
"Every coach everywhere is in the crosshairs of win-now-or-else. Except the one coach who could’ve been fired last season but wasn’t," Hayes wrote of Day.
"The one coach who is now bulletproof heading into the most important stretch of the season. When big games are won and lost, and coaches are fired and hired."
Hayes is 100% right, too. And as long as Day continues to struggle putting away the Buckeyes' biggest blood rival, that threat will hang over his head like a rain cloud. Even with a championship trophy in tow.
Ryan Day still not safe in Columbus if he can't beat TTUN, doesn't repeat
"The Game" means so much that Day not winning it could still cost him his job in the future if he doesn't continue delivering national championships to Columbus. As it should. With the money OSU spends on NIL and coaching salaries, only a maximum return should be acceptable.
Winning the title and beating TTUN isn't expected every season, but at least one of those should be delivered. It's The Ohio State University because greatness earns that article.
Day's made hires this past offseason that give Buckeye fans hope that one of those things, if not both, are possible in 2025. That's why you're not hearing anything about his seat having any degree of heat this season.
Don't think that talk is gone indefinitely. If anything, it's dormant until Day gives fans a reason to resurrect it.