The Ohio State Buckeyes achieved the ultimate prize by winning the College Football Playoff National Championship this past season. It was not an easy task as the new 12-team playoff format took shape in 2024. Many college football fans around the country wanted Head Coach Ryan Day out at Ohio State.
But, that is no longer the case for Day, as On3 reported that Day has received a new contract extension through the 2031 football season. How will this deal work out for both sides?
Ohio State HC Ryan Day Receives New Contract
https://twitter.com/On3sports/status/1887517685602193912
Ohio State and Day have agreed to terms on a new seven-year deal worth $12.5 million per year. His base salary will consist of $2 million as the extension will add three more years based on his previous contract that was set to expire in 2028. Day will become the second-highest-paid coach behind Georgia’s Kirby Smart.
For Buckeye fans, this is a good sign for the Ohio State football program since ending the 2024 season on an incredible run in the College Football Playoff. Ohio State won four games in a matter of 31 days against Oregon in the Rose Bowl, Tennessee, Texas, and Notre Dame. Day surprised many fans and media during the playoff run that led to winning the national championship with double-digit victories.
Buckeyes Moving Forward Into 2025
The biggest inconsistency throughout the last four seasons has been that the Buckeyes have not beaten the Michigan Wolverines in the regular season finale. After the crushing loss by three points in the Horseshoe, fans as well as media felt that Day did not deserve to remain the head coach of the Buckeyes.
Due to recent success in 2024, Ohio State could be in a good position to either repeat as national champions or win a Big Ten title, which has not been accomplished since 2020.
Coaching Changes
Going into 2025, Ohio State will be in search of a new Defensive Coordinator after Jim Knowles left the program along with Offensive Coordinator Chip Kelly, who took the same position with the Las Vegas Raiders after winning the national championship last month. Day has promoted longtime Wide Receivers coach Brian Hartline to be the playcaller for the 2025 season.
With Day getting a new contract extension, it means that winning games still matters, but their other goals have to be reached as well including winning the conference title and making the 12-team playoff in the same year. Fortunately for Buckeye fans, they will retain their head coach for seven more years after the national championship run saved his job in 2024.
