Pat McAfee issues apology to Ohio State HC Ryan Day for a misunderstanding that went public ahead of Texas game

After Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes won the national championship last season over Notre Dame, the head coach went on quite the media run. As any championship-winning coach would, Day had plenty of media obligations to knock out.

One of the biggest sports talk shows is The Pat McAfee Show, but Day didn’t make an appearance after Ohio State’s title win. McAfee said he had sent multiple requests to book Day for the show, but it never came together.

McAfee took exception to Day not coming on, saying he felt it might be because the Ohio State head coach didn’t like the show—or perhaps the people on it.

That wasn’t the case, however. On Wednesday, McAfee issued an apology to Day, explaining what really happened.

Pat McAfee issues apology to Ryan Day for a misunderstanding

On his show, McAfee said he spoke directly with Day and cleared the air:

“I thought he hated us, so that means by fault I have to hate you,” McAfee said. “That is just how I am, that’s how I operate. It turns out he doesn’t hate us at all. Complete opposite—he just never got the requests, which he said never happened. We sent numerous. But I think whoever was potentially guarding them did not get to him. I was apologetic to him as well.”

According to McAfee, Day confirmed he never received the requests, which explains why the appearance never materialized. That lines up with what McAfee’s co-host—and former Buckeye—A.J. Hawk said on Tuesday’s show: if Day knew he was asked to come on, he would have done it.

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McAfee added:

“He was very kind. I’d like to let Coach Ryan Day know, I apologize for assuming you hated us and I thank you for not hating us. And I’m pumped I don’t have to hate the entire state of Ohio.”

McAfee will be in Columbus this weekend with College GameDay and ESPN for the highly anticipated Week 1 matchup between the Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns.