Ryan Day Has Chance to Cement Coaching Legacy as One of Ohio State’s All-Time Greats with a Dominant 2025 Season Ahead
As Ohio State football prepares for the 2025 season, head coach Ryan Day finds himself at a unique crossroads—one that could elevate his legacy among the most iconic figures in Buckeye history. Despite facing increasing pressure from fans and critics over the past two years, particularly regarding losses to Michigan and perceived shortcomings in postseason play, Day now has the opportunity to move up one of the most impressive coaching leaderboards in college football: the all-time wins list at Ohio State. If the 2025 season goes as projected, Day could solidify his place as one of the elite coaches in Buckeye history, and perhaps finally silence his most vocal detractors.
Since taking over the reins from Urban Meyer in 2019, Day has compiled an impressive win-loss record, rarely dropping games outside the fiercest rivalry matchups and College Football Playoff battles. As of the end of the 2024 season, Day’s overall record sits at 56-8—a win percentage that would rank among the best of any coach in modern football. Still, wins alone haven’t earned him complete admiration among the fanbase, due largely to his 1-3 record against Michigan and a lack of national championships despite fielding elite rosters nearly every season.
That could change in 2025.
With a deep and experienced roster, including a stacked offensive line, a talented quarterback room, and a defense that looks like one of the nation’s best, Day enters this season with the tools to dominate. The addition of key transfers and the retention of core players—thanks in part to a more cohesive NIL strategy—has positioned Ohio State to challenge for the Big Ten title and make a serious run at the expanded College Football Playoff. Should the Buckeyes meet those expectations, Day will not only earn more hardware but could also rise significantly on the program’s historical leaderboard in coaching wins.
Currently, Woody Hayes remains the untouchable giant atop the Ohio State coaching mountain with 205 victories over 28 seasons. But beneath Hayes, the next tier features names like John Cooper (111 wins), Jim Tressel (94), and Urban Meyer (83). Day, sitting at 56 wins after just five full seasons, could climb that ladder quickly if he continues his current pace. With a typical 13–15 game season (including postseason), Day has a real chance to surpass 70 wins by the end of the 2025 campaign. That would place him among the top five coaches in school history, a remarkable feat given his relatively short tenure.
But Day’s rise in the rankings wouldn’t just be about quantity—it would be about quality, too. A national title, or even a deep playoff run with a win over Michigan, would dramatically change the perception of his accomplishments. Day’s critics often point to the fact that he inherited a championship-caliber program rather than built one himself, but they ignore how difficult it is to maintain that standard. Few programs have remained as consistent as Ohio State during Day’s time in charge. Only Georgia and Alabama have rivaled the Buckeyes in terms of consistent top-10 finishes, and few can match their sustained recruiting excellence.
Another point of optimism lies in Day’s renewed focus on physicality and defense. After consecutive seasons where Ohio State looked outmuscled by Michigan in the trenches, Day has made it a priority to rebuild the Buckeyes’ identity. The addition of new offensive line coach Justin Frye has helped in that area, and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has steadily elevated the defense into one of the nation’s best units. In 2024, the Buckeyes finished top five nationally in scoring defense and total defense—something that hasn’t happened since the peak Urban Meyer years.
That defensive resurgence could be the key to winning close, gritty games in 2025—the kind Ohio State must prevail in to win the Big Ten and thrive in the College Football Playoff. Unlike past years when the offense was relied on to outscore opponents, the 2025 Buckeyes could be more balanced, resilient, and capable of grinding out physical contests in November and January. And that may play perfectly into Day’s hopes of quieting the noise surrounding his legacy.
The expanded College Football Playoff format also plays to Day’s strengths. With more opportunities to prove themselves against elite competition on a national stage, Ohio State could enter the postseason more battle-tested and focused. Day, who has been criticized for conservative play-calling in some of the Buckeyes’ biggest games, has reportedly taken a more aggressive approach in offseason planning. If that strategic shift pays off, it could mark a turning point in his career.
Beyond on-field success, 2025 also offers Day the chance to demonstrate growth in other critical areas—most notably, recruiting and NIL management. While Ohio State has remained a top-10 recruiting power under Day, recent trends show increased competition from southern programs and a more aggressive Michigan. Day and his staff will need to not only maintain recruiting momentum but also close on key targets late in the cycle—a weakness that’s plagued the Buckeyes in the NIL era. Fortunately, Day seems more engaged than ever in the NIL space, pushing for stronger alignment between the athletic department and collectives. If that leads to a top-five class in 2025, his leadership off the field will gain new recognition.
Leadership is another facet of Day’s potential leap forward in 2025. With the Big Ten growing to include powerhouses like Oregon, USC, Washington, and UCLA, the conference dynamic has changed drastically. Ohio State will now be required to navigate a more grueling schedule that includes more West Coast travel, stiffer weekly competition, and less room for error. How Day manages this transition—especially as one of the conference’s senior coaches—will be crucial. If he can lead the Buckeyes to a conference title in this new-look Big Ten, it will be among his most impressive accomplishments to date.
There’s also the human element. Despite criticism, Day remains one of the most respected figures in college football. His players speak highly of his leadership, his staff remains relatively stable compared to other programs, and he’s managed to keep the Buckeyes from any major off-field drama—a rarity in this era of high-stakes recruiting and player movement. That consistency may not always earn headlines, but it does earn respect. And in 2025, if results match the integrity he’s brought to the job, it could be the year Day is finally viewed through the lens he’s long deserved.
Looking ahead, Ryan Day’s climb up Ohio State’s all-time wins list will be watched closely, but wins alone won’t define 2025. The bigger storyline will be how those wins are achieved—especially against Michigan, in the postseason, and through adversity. If Day can check those boxes, he won’t just move up the leaderboard; he’ll move into the pantheon of Buckeye coaching legends.
For a fanbase that lives and breathes success, there’s no denying the stakes are high. But there’s also no denying that Day has brought Ohio State to the doorstep of greatness year after year. The 2025 season could finally be the one where the Buckeyes kick the door down—and where Ryan Day ascends from just a very good coach to one of the best the program has ever seen.
