Ohio State Buckeyes’ Ryan Day Earns Strong Praise From Prominent Analyst Who Believes He’s Building a Championship Dynasty in Columbus
Few head coaches in college football draw more conversation, debate, and scrutiny than Ohio State’s Ryan Day. Since taking over the reins from Urban Meyer in late 2018, Day has been entrusted with maintaining—and elevating—one of the most storied programs in the sport’s history. While many Buckeye fans measure success in national championships alone, one notable analyst has stepped forward to offer a strong and measured take: Ryan Day isn’t just keeping Ohio State competitive—he’s building a long-term, championship-caliber dynasty, and the results are already speaking for themselves.
That analyst is none other than Kirk Herbstreit, former Ohio State quarterback and long-time ESPN College GameDay voice, who remains one of the most respected figures in college football media. During a recent discussion on a national broadcast, Herbstreit pushed back on recent critiques of Day, who has faced fan frustration over losses to Michigan in back-to-back seasons before rebounding with a national title win in 2024.
Herbstreit’s take was clear: “People are too quick to forget that Ryan Day has made Ohio State a top-two or top-three program every single year. The standards are sky-high in Columbus, but that shouldn’t blind anyone to the fact that Day is doing one of the best jobs in the country. Period.”
Herbstreit’s strong defense of Day is rooted in more than Buckeye loyalty—it’s supported by data and context. Since taking over, Ryan Day boasts a staggering winning percentage, has reached the College Football Playoff multiple times, and has sent dozens of players to the NFL, including several first-rounders. His offenses have consistently ranked in the top five nationally, and he has maintained one of the highest recruiting classes year in and year out.
What makes Day’s performance more impressive is the climate in which he’s operating. College football has never been more competitive or chaotic. With the introduction of NIL, the expansion of the College Football Playoff, and the ever-growing pressure from fans and boosters, coaching at an elite level requires more than just on-field results. It demands adaptability, cultural leadership, and mastery over roster management.
Ryan Day has shown he can do it all.
When Urban Meyer retired, many expected a transitional period for the Buckeyes. What they got instead was sustained dominance. Day took the core of Meyer’s recruiting empire and added his own modern twist: a more innovative offense, a sharper focus on quarterback development, and a culture rooted in professionalism and accountability. Under Day, quarterbacks like Justin Fields, C.J. Stroud, and Kyle McCord flourished. The development pipeline has remained elite, and top prospects continue to pick Ohio State with the belief that Day can get them to the NFL.
And yet, despite all of this, the criticism has been unrelenting in some corners. Much of that stems from the recent struggles against Michigan—losses that cut deep into the heart of Buckeye pride. The rivalry defines legacies in Columbus, and for many fans, beating Michigan is non-negotiable. But even in that regard, Day answered the call. In 2024, not only did the Buckeyes beat Michigan, but they went on to win the national championship, silencing doubters and validating Herbstreit’s perspective.
The analyst emphasized that blips in rivalry games shouldn’t overshadow a coach’s entire body of work. “You can be disappointed in a loss to Michigan,” Herbstreit said, “but you can’t deny what Ryan Day has done. Look around college football. Look at Alabama post-Saban. Look at Clemson post-Trevor Lawrence. It’s hard to stay elite. Ryan Day has kept Ohio State at the top while navigating the toughest era we’ve seen in decades.”
Indeed, the post-Urban Meyer era could have been much rockier. Transition periods at major programs often come with dips in recruiting, cultural instability, or schematic confusion. Instead, Ohio State has remained steady, if not elevated. Day’s offensive approach is cutting-edge. His decision to hire and retain top-tier coordinators—including defensive guru Jim Knowles and offensive minds like Brian Hartline and now Chip Kelly—has solidified the Buckeyes as a team that wins with both talent and scheme.
Perhaps more importantly, Day has become a respected figure within the broader college football coaching fraternity. Known for his calm demeanor, thoughtful answers, and team-first philosophy, Day has avoided many of the controversies or PR missteps that have tripped up other coaches under the national spotlight. In recruiting circles, he’s seen as honest and stable. Among alumni, he’s viewed as a steward of the program’s legacy. And to the current players, he’s a trusted leader who knows how to connect.
This offseason has only further underscored Day’s effectiveness. After the title run, several players left for the NFL, and others entered the transfer portal. But rather than panic or rebuild, Day reloaded. He landed top-tier transfers, signed a top-five recruiting class, and convinced several veterans to return for one more season. In today’s climate, that kind of roster retention is a masterclass in program management.
Additionally, Day has embraced the NIL era without compromising the values of the program. Ohio State has built one of the most structured and player-friendly NIL systems in the country, helping to keep elite talent in Columbus while setting the standard for professionalism and transparency. Day has repeatedly spoken about the importance of preparing young men for life beyond football—an approach that resonates with both recruits and parents.
Herbstreit also pointed to the larger picture. “There are only a handful of programs where the pressure is national-title-or-bust every year. Ohio State is one of them, and Ryan Day has delivered. It’s unfair to judge his entire legacy on a couple of losses. Look at the wins. Look at the championships. Look at the future.”
That future looks bright. The quarterback room is deep, the defense is loaded with NFL-bound talent, and the incoming recruiting class features multiple five-star players who are expected to contribute immediately. With the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff format now in place, Ohio State is positioned as a perennial contender. And with Day at the helm, there’s no indication that the standard will slip.
The praise from analysts like Herbstreit is not just validation for Day—it’s a reflection of the respect he’s earned within the sport. While fan emotions may fluctuate with the outcomes of single games, those inside the game see the broader arc of his leadership. And that arc points firmly upward.
As the 2025 season approaches, expectations are as high as ever in Columbus. A repeat title is on the table. So is another Big Ten crown, a Heisman campaign for a young quarterback, and a chance to further cement Ohio State’s modern dynasty under Day’s watch.
Ryan Day may never win over every skeptic—no coach ever does. But what cannot be denied is that under his leadership, the Buckeyes have remained at the pinnacle of the sport. Championships, recruiting wins, NFL development, cultural stability—Day checks every box. And as Herbstreit’s strong take makes clear, those in the know believe that the best may still be ahead.
In the ever-unforgiving world of college football, Ryan Day isn’t just surviving—he’s thriving. He has earned the trust of his team, the respect of his peers, and now, perhaps, the renewed confidence of a fanbase that expects greatness. If he continues on this trajectory, Day won’t just be remembered as Urban Meyer’s successor—he’ll be remembered as one of the greats in Ohio State history.
