Ryan Day's recent ranking as the second-best head coach in college football, as determined by On3's JD PicKell, is a testament to his remarkable leadership at Ohio State. Day has long been regarded as one of the top coaches in the sport, but his recent national championship victory has solidified his place among the elite.
According to the article, “If you don’t opt for Smart, this is the best coach in America.” This acknowledgment underscores Day's consistency and his ability to guide Ohio State to the highest heights, despite facing significant challenges.
Day's 2024 season was particularly impressive, as he led Ohio State to its first national title since 2014, finally getting "over the hump," as the article put it. This win places Ohio State in a unique position: Day winning this championship makes the Buckeyes the only program in college football right now to have three consecutive non-interim head coaches win national titles. This lineage, from Jim Tressel to Urban Meyer and now Day, showcases the program’s elite status and consistent success on the biggest stage.
What makes Day’s 2024 season even more remarkable is the quality of competition he faced. He defeated five of the coaches ranked in PicKell’s top 10, further validating his placement as the second-best coach.
Among the vanquished were Steve Sarkisian (#3) from Texas, Dan Lanning (#5) from Oregon, Marcus Freeman (#6) from Notre Dame, James Franklin (#9) from Penn State, and Josh Heupel (#10) from Tennessee. This gauntlet of elite coaches only adds to the argument that Day is a force to be reckoned with in college football, and his ability to consistently outcoach some of the best minds in the sport is a testament to his strategic prowess.
Looking forward, Day’s next major hurdle is his rivalry with Michigan. While his national championship win is monumental, the article notes that Day still has to overcome "the Michigan bugaboo." Losing to Michigan four times in a row has been a blemish on an otherwise stellar resume, and avoiding a fifth straight defeat will be critical for Day’s legacy at Ohio State. However, with his national title in hand, the pressure is somewhat alleviated, and the excitement around his future success is palpable.
As Ohio State fans look ahead, there is great anticipation that Ryan Day will continue to build on his recent success and deliver even more championships to Columbus. His ability to defeat top-ranked opponents, his relentless pursuit of excellence, and his ability to gather top-tier talent and cultivate culture make him one of the most exciting coaches in college football today.
Buckeye Nation is eagerly awaiting the next chapter, hopeful that Day will secure another national title and etch his name alongside the legendary coaches who came before him.