COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a significant development that could shape the future of Ohio State football, the university has made a major announcement regarding head coach Ryan Day. After weeks of speculation surrounding the leadership of the program, Ohio State officials confirmed that Day will remain the head coach but will take on a redefined role moving forward. The shift comes as part of a broader structural change designed to strengthen the Buckeyes both on and off the field following a string of high-pressure seasons and increasing scrutiny from fans and alumni.
Under the new framework, Ryan Day will retain full control over the football program but will delegate more of the day-to-day play-calling and offensive responsibilities to a newly empowered offensive coordinator—most recently announced as Bill O’Brien. This adjustment marks a philosophical evolution for Day, who has served as the program’s primary play-caller since taking over in 2019.
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith, speaking alongside Day during the press conference, emphasized that the decision was made after extensive evaluation of the program’s trajectory, particularly in the wake of consecutive losses to archrival Michigan and disappointing postseason finishes. While Smith reaffirmed the administration’s confidence in Day’s leadership and long-term vision, he also acknowledged the growing pressures inherent in leading one of college football’s most scrutinized programs.
“Ryan is still the man for the job,” Smith said. “But even great leaders need to adapt and evolve. We’ve had candid conversations about how to best position this program to reach its full potential. This move is about empowering Ryan to focus more broadly on the entire team, culture, and big-picture strategy.”
Day echoed those sentiments, stating that the decision to shift responsibilities was his own and done with the program’s best interests in mind. He cited the increasingly complex nature of managing a top-tier college football team in the current NIL and transfer portal era as a key reason for stepping back from play-calling duties.
“When I first took this job, my instinct was to be hands-on with the offense because that’s where my background is,” Day said. “But as college football has evolved, the job of a head coach has changed dramatically. From roster management to recruiting to maintaining culture, there’s so much that demands attention. It became clear that delegating some of those responsibilities would make us a stronger program.”
Since becoming head coach, Day has compiled an impressive 56-8 record, multiple College Football Playoff appearances, and Big Ten championships. However, the heightened expectations in Columbus mean that even a handful of losses can spark unrest. The three-game losing streak to Michigan—the first such stretch since the 1990s—has fueled criticism and led many to call for a reevaluation of the program’s approach.
Internally, sources close to the program describe this as a “course correction” rather than a shake-up. Day will now oversee all aspects of football operations with an emphasis on leadership, development, and program continuity. The newly adjusted hierarchy allows him to step into a CEO-style role, similar to what Nick Saban and
