Ohio State Faces Significant Financial Decision on Coach Ryan Day's Future
The university would owe nearly $75 million if it were to dismiss the football coach before the end of his current contract.
Ohio State University would face a buyout of approximately $75 million if it were to terminate head football coach Ryan Day's contract, according to reports. Day signed a seven-year contract extension through the 2031 season after leading the Buckeyes to a College Football Playoff national championship in the 2024 season.
This significant financial commitment comes amid recent performance concerns. Day's Buckeyes lost to Indiana in the 2024 season, marking the first time the team had lost to the Hoosiers since 1988. A potential second consecutive loss to Indiana this Saturday would be a historic low for the program. Additionally, Ohio State's record against rival Michigan stands at 2-4 under Day's tenure, a statistic that carries considerable weight with the fanbase.
Despite these recent setbacks, Day's overall record at Ohio State is 87-13. He has secured two Big Ten Championships and the 2024 national title. The contract extension, valued at $87.5 million over five years, was awarded following the national championship victory, where the Buckeyes navigated a 12-team playoff bracket.
In the season following the championship, Ohio State reached the Big Ten Championship game but lost 13-10 to Indiana. The team received a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff but was eliminated in the quarterfinals at the Cotton Bowl.