Ryan Day Expects to Remain Ohio State HC, Says He Has '1 of the Best Jobs in America'

Ryan Day has failed to accomplish a single one of Ohio State's primary goals since the 2020 season, but he doesn't believe his tenure with the Buckeyes will end after the 2024 campaign.

"Yes," he told reporters Wednesday when asked if he believes he will be back next year.

"This is a wonderful place," he continued. "I have one of the best jobs in America. I'm disappointed more than anybody. We'll continue to move and figure out what it is and overcome this obstacle."

While there has always been a portion of Ohio State fans who have been vocally frustrated with Day's performance as head coach since taking over for Urban Meyer, Saturday's loss to Michigan felt like something of a tipping point nationally.

His job status and potential firing became a major talking point across various outlets after one of the most stunning losses in program history.

Everything was set up for Day to end the three-game losing streak against the hated Michigan Wolverines. The game was at home against a 6-5 team that was missing two of its best players in cornerback Will Johnson and tight end Colston Loveland.

The only real advantage the Wolverines had on paper was their strong defensive line against Ohio State's injured offensive line, but Day and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly chose to run the ball 26 times at an average of three yards per carry.

Star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith had just two targets in the second half, and the Buckeyes didn't take advantage of their skill on the outside.

A fourth straight loss to Michigan after winning 17 of the previous 19 in the series does not sit well in Columbus, Ohio. Neither does failing to even reach the Big Ten Championship Game for a fourth consecutive season.

Ohio State's primary goals every year are to defeat Michigan, win the conference and compete for a national title. It still has a chance to do the last one with the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff field, but the last time Day did either of the first two was back in the COVID-shortened 2020 season when he won the Big Ten championship after the Michigan game was canceled.

He sounded like someone who expects to be back in 2025, which should, in theory, at least help the Buckeyes in continuity with immediate recruiting and transfer portal concerns.

But his seat is only going to get hotter if he doesn't start delivering the lofty results that are expected at a program of Ohio State's stature.