Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Ohio State President Announces Big Update on Head Coach Ryan Day’s Contract

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Jan 27, 2025 10:45 AM ET

In the span of two months, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day went from being on the hot seat to a national champion.

Buckeye fans were calling for Day to be fired back on Nov. 30 after a 13-10 loss to the Michigan Wolverines — OSU’s fourth straight loss of its bitter rival — that saw a sideline-clearing brawl after UM players planted their school’s flag directly in the center of Ohio State’s midfield logo with players from both teams pepper-sprayed and resulted in $100,000 fines for both schools.

It was an ugly way for Ohio State to end the regular season, and the loss dropped OSU from the No. 6 to No. 8 seed in the College Football Playoff. But Day and the Buckeyes ran the table over the next few weeks, reeling off CFP wins over No. 9 Tennessee, No. 1 Oregon, No. 5 Texas and No. 7 Notre Dame en route to winning the school’s ninth national championship.

Many college football analysts speculated Day needed to win a national title to keep his job, and that’s exactly what he did.

And after the latest update from Chase Brown of Eleven Warriors, it appears not only will Day remain employed in Columbus, but he likely will get rewarded with a nice new contract.

“We’re working [on a contract extension],” Ohio State president Ted Carter said. “We don't have any announcements yet, but we have intent. I know Ryan wants to stay here, so we’re working the details.”

Day’s current contract runs through 2028 and paid him $10.02 million in 2024 according to the Columbus Dispatch. He also earned a $1 million bonus for winning the national championship.

Only four college coaches currently make more money per year than Day — Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, Georgia’s Kirby Smart, Texas’ Steve Sarkisian and USC’s Lincoln Riley — and any new deal he signs could make him the highest-paid coach in the country.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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