Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes finished the 2024 season in dominant fashion, storming through a gauntlet of top-tier opponents to claim the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff National Championship.
Ohio State was masterful throughout their playoff run as they dismantled Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame, winning by an average margin of nearly 18 points.
The reward for their historic run? A national title, a “forever” place in history, and now, a lucrative contract extension for their head coach.
That’s right… Ryan Day and Ohio State have agreed to a seven-year contract extension worth $12.5 million per season, keeping him at the helm through 2031.
The deal cements Day as one of the highest-paid coaches in college football, a reflection of the program’s faith in his ability to keep the Buckeyes in national title contention for years to come.
Ohio State fans, still riding high from their well-deserved championship victory, were largely thrilled with the news.
But interestingly enough, fans of their biggest rival, the Michigan Wolverines, were just as happy to see Day locked in for the foreseeable future.
For all of Day’s success – winning a national championship, recruiting at an elite level, and posting a staggering 69-6 record against teams not named Michigan – there’s one glaring issue… He keeps losing to the Wolverines.
Just two months ago, the same Buckeye fans celebrating his extension were calling for his job after Ohio State suffered its fourth consecutive loss to Michigan.
The 2024 edition of “The Game” was particularly brutal for the Buckeyes, as they entered as a three-touchdown favorite in Columbus, only to walk away with yet another defeat.
That’s why, when news broke of Day’s contract extension, Michigan fans wasted no time celebrating – seeing it as an opportunity to extend their winning streak even further.
Despite his struggles against Michigan, the decision to extend Day makes plenty of sense for Ohio State.
He proved this past season that he can rally a team after a crushing defeat, refocusing the Buckeyes and guiding them to a dominant national championship run.
Of course, critics will point to the fact that in any season prior to this one, Ohio State wouldn’t have even made the playoffs after losing to Michigan.
However, the reality is the playoff-field has expanded and the Buckeyes took full advantage of their “second life.”
Still, there’s no avoiding the elephant in the room. Beating Michigan is an expectation for any Ohio State coach.
If Day can figure that out, this extension will look like a brilliant move. If not, well, Michigan fans will keep enjoying the ride.
What are your thoughts on Day’s extension and the fact that Michigan fans are celebrating it as much – if not more – than Ohio State fans are???
