The Ohio State football program was on top of the world after the 2024 season. Ryan Day faced incredible backlash at the end of that regular season after losing to Michigan. It was the fourth straight loss to Michigan, and fans were ready to get rid of Day.
Then, Day went on the best four-game run in college football history. He led the team to victories over Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame. It was clear that Ryan Day was not just the best coach in the Big Ten, but the best one in all of college football after winning the title.
Last season, things changed. After a 12-0 start to the season, the Buckeyes ended up losing to Indiana and Miami to finish the season. It was the worst possible way to finish the year. IU ended up winning the national championship. With that being the case, where does Day rank among Big Ten coaches?
Ranking where Ohio State coach Ryan Day fits among Big Ten coaches
Curt Cignetti was the national championship-winning coach last season. He led the Hoosiers to a 16-0 season, including beating Ryan Day. With that being the case, it's hard not to have him atop the rankings for Big Ten coaches this season. Cignetti has turned around the losingest program in the country into a CFP participant in two straight years.
Other than Cignetti, it's clear that Day is the next best coach in the Big Ten. He is the only other coach in the conference who has a national title. The Ohio State Buckeyes are also clearly the most talented team year in and year out, and Day gets credit for that, even if he doesn't win every game.
Dan Lanning is the third-best coach in the league, but there is some separation between Day and Lanning. Day pantsed Lanning during the Rose Bowl en route to the national championship, so that gives him the edge. The Ducks will try to get revenge for that in November.
Ohio State is hoping to play to their level of talent this year
While Day typically assembles the best overall talent in the Big Ten, he doesn't always coach that talent to the highest level possible. That is why the Buckeyes only have two Big Ten championships and two victories over TTUN in Day's tenure. He hasn't won at the highest level with the best talent.
This season, Day is going to try to permanently change that narrative. He got that Michigan monkey off his back by winning that game in Ann Arbor last November. Ohio State needs to win The Game in Columbus this season with Kyle Whittingham leading the Wolverines for the first time.
A strong postseason would possibly give Day the crown of the best coach in the Big Ten back. He needs to beat Cignetti, as well. That rematch will happen in Bloomington in the middle of October, and Ohio State will have that game circled all year long. Day will, too.
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