After years of being doubted and countless calls for his firing, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day finally led the Buckeyes to a national title with their win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in last month’s College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
But while there was still some hand-wringing for the Buckeyes up until that game started, Day knew that he had a national champion on his hands about a week ahead of time.
In a recent interview, Day admitted that he realized his Buckeyes would win the title when Jack Sawyer scored his defensive touchdown against Texas in the Cotton Bowl. He said that he realized the Buckeyes were finally getting the ball bounces that they sought and had “no doubt” anymore.
“I kind of ran down, but then looked back to see if there was any flags. At that moment when I saw that there was no flag I said, ‘We’re going to win a National Championship’,” Day said. “That ball bounced our way, there has been times when it hasn’t bounced our way. It did. If you keep swinging, keep fighting, keep getting those at-bats, that ball is going to bounce your way eventually. Then we left no doubt.”
There was plenty of room for doubt at the end of November after Ohio State finished the regular season 10-2 with losses to Oregon and arch-rival Michigan. The Michigan loss in particular had fans calling for Day’s job and he was on thin ice heading into the newly-expanded College Football Playoff against Tennessee.
But the excuse for firing Day never surfaced once the CFP started. They demolished Tennessee, destroyed Oregon in a rematch and edged out Texas to set up their big win against the Fighting Irish.
The Buckeyes rewarded Day with a long-term contract extension – a much needed cooling from his otherwise hot seat – and the team appears primed to rank among the best in college football next season.
At the age of 45, Day has many years of coaching left before he may consider calling it a career.
Will Day lead the Buckeyes to another national title next year?
Related: Ohio State Confirms Decision On Ryan Day For 2025 Season